Evaluation of HIV voluntary counselling and testing services in Egypt. Part 2: service providers' satisfaction

Abstract

Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services are major components of HIV prevention and treatment efforts. A study in Egypt aimed to determine the satisfaction of service providers at VCTs to identify strengths and weaknesses in the service. Direct interviews with all 50 VCT team members and focus group discussions with 16 counsellors showed that the majority believed that they had received enough training (90%), but still 66% wanted further training. Only 50% reported receiving sufficient incentives. Problems that were highlighted included absence of a fixed job description, lack of administrative support, unclear working rules and regulations and lack of proper community awareness. Counsellors expressed the need for improving working environment to ensure privacy and confidentiality.

Job Perception of Counselors Employed at Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers for HIV in a District of South India

“…The factors identified by the counselors could throw light on the issues that may help in better service delivery at ICTCs. In our study, most of the counselors were females; whereas in the Egyptian 6 and South African studies, 7 male counselors outnumbered the females. The nurse counselors and social workers in cases of South African study 7 had an experience of 8 years that was almost similar to the experience of senior counselors in our study.…”

“…5 Another study conducted by Kabbash et al in Egypt identified a lack of administrative support, unclear working rules and regulations, lack of proper community awareness, the need for further training, the need for a fixed job description, and improved working environment to ensure privacy and confidentiality. 6 Ginwalla et al conducted a study among nurse counselors and community volunteers and emphasized the need for training counselors. 7 The objective of our study was to assess the perceptions of counselors with respect to training received, problems faced in providing services, and job satisfaction.…”

Institutional context and VCT practitioner narratives: possibilities and limitations for HIV prevention in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…Over the past two decades, it has shifted from prevention actions with material and human resources to a more basic care based model focused on providing diagnoses. Grangeiro et al [ 19 ] came to a similar conclusion in their diagnostic study conducted in the first decade of 2000 and more recent studies have also noted institutional constraints on STD/AIDS counselors’ abilities to provide more personalized and far-reaching support [ 10 – 12 , 34 ].…”

“…Such research highlights the difficulties professionals face, such as overworking or frustration, as a result of a lack of resources (material and human), physical space and long hours. In addition, some studies point to limitations in VCT service planning and decision making due to the lack of recognition of counselors by local health authorities [ 10 – 14 ].…”

Gestão e processos de trabalho nos Centros de Testagem e Aconselhamento de Porto Alegre-RS na perspectiva de seus aconselhadores

“…Dentre seus achados, verificaram dificuldades de relacionamento com a rede de referência e contrarreferência das pessoas vivendo com HIV pela reduzida oferta de leitos hospitalares e da precariedade dos serviços ambulatoriais. No âmbito internacional, Kabbash et al (2010) realizaram grupos focais com 16 aconselhadores para avaliar serviços de testagem e aconselhamento em HIV do Egito. Os achados dos autores apontaram demandas dos profissionais por melhor capacitação, definição específica de suas atribuições e funções, além de critérios mais claros para avaliar os resultados do seu trabalho, uma vez que ficavam restritos ao número de atendimentos e à percepção subjetiva de cada aconselhador.…”