A randomized trial on acceptability of voluntary HIV counselling and testing

Abstract

Summaryobjectives To examine factors affecting readiness for and acceptability of voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VCT).methods Participants in a population-based HIV survey conducted in an urban population in Zambia in 1996 were offered VCT. Although 29% of them expressed interest in being tested (readiness), only 4% of this group used the services (i.e. acceptability). When the survey was repeated 3 years later, VCT was designed differently to assess acceptability. At the cluster level the participants were randomly allocated to VCT either at the local clinic (similar to 1996, n ¼ 1102) or at an optional location (n ¼ 1343).results Readiness varied significantly by age group (47% in age group 20-24 years vs. 18% in age group 40-49 years). There were contrasts between young (15-24 years) and older age groups (25-49 years) regarding the main factors associated with readiness. Whereas self-perceived risk of being HIV infected was the only significant factor among the young, poor self-rated health and ever HIV tested were important factors among the older. The acceptability was 11.8% among the group allocated to VCT at the local clinic compared with 55.8% for the group allocated to an optional location (RR, 4.7).conclusions Perceived risk of HIV infection had a major influence on VCT readiness among young people, whereas declining general health status, as indicated by self-rated health, was most evident among those of older age. A strong effect of placement on acceptability of VCT was demonstrated, indicating this barrier to be important in explaining low demands for VCT in the past. Differences in perceptions of how confidentiality is handled at the two locations might be an important underlying factor.

Perceptions and Uptake of Voluntary Counseling and Testing Services among Primary School Teachers in Nakuru County, Kenya: Addressing Containment of HIV/AIDS Pandemic

“…However, more than one-third of male participants did not perceive themselves to be risk of HIV infection, even though they engaged in risky behaviors such as multiple sex networks and inconsistent use of condoms, leading to a low uptake of VCT services. Similar findings on risk perception have been reported by [25] and [26].…”

Determinants of acceptance of voluntary HIV testing among antenatal clinic attendees at Dil Chora Hospital, Dire Dawa, East Ethiopia

“…However, when adjusted for other variables, prior HIV testing had lost its statistical significance. Other studies have also indicated that women who have been tested for HIV in the past were less likely to refuse HIV testing in their current pregnancies as compared to women who had no prior HIV testing (19,20). On the other hand, a study in Uganda had shown no association between previous HIV testing and acceptance of HIV testing in the current pregnancy (11).…”

Mandatory Premarital HIV/AIDS Test and Break Up of Marital Engagement among Intending Couples in Some Pentecostal Churches in Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria

“…In such a situation, a positive test result may be false which leads people to believe that they have HIV. Thus, Fylkesnes & Siziya (2014) suggested that proper pre-test and post test counseling are essential in any HIV/AIDS test. Feldman & Eric (2008) reported that a person who discovers his/her partner is HIV-infected is more likely to break off the relationship than one who finds out that his/her partner has other infectious diseases like syphilis.…”