Voluntary counseling and testing among post-partum women in Botswana

Abstract

Objective-To determine uptake and socio-demographics predictors of acceptance of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) among post-partum women in Botswana.Methods-Women attending maternal and child health clinics for their first post-partum or well baby visit in 3 sites in Botswana were offered VCT after a written informed consent. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics and reasons for declining VCT.Results-From March 1999 to November 2000, we approached 1735 post-partum women. Only 937 (54%) of those approached accepted VCT. In multiple logistic regression analysis, younger maternal age, not being married, and less formal education were significant predictors of acceptance of VCT. Thirty percent of women who accepted VCT were HIV-positive Conclusion-Our results indicated that in Botswana prior to the initiation of a government Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT) prevention program, younger, unmarried, and less educated postpartum women were more likely to undergo VCT.Practice Implications-Our results have shown that interventions to improve VCT among postpartum women and more generally among women of reproductive age are warranted in Botswana. These interventions should account for differences such age, marital status, education and partner involvement to maximize VCT uptake.

Individual, household and community factors associated with HIV test refusal in rural Malawi

“…Associations between HIV test refusal and age, education and marital status have been reported previously (Mpairwe et al. 2005; Thior et al. 2007).…”

“…Similarly conflicting associations with VCT uptake rates have been reported in relation to marriage for women (Matovu et al. 2005; Thior et al. 2007).…”

“…2005; Mpairwe et al. 2005; Thior et al. 2007), but others found no association between HIV testing and education (Kiarie et al.…”

“…2006; Homsy et al. 2007; Thior et al. 2007), previous HIV test and need of partner’s consent (Yoder & Matinga 2004; Morin et al.…”

Expanding access to voluntary HIV counselling and testing in sub‐Saharan Africa: alternative approaches for improving uptake, 2001–2007

“…Population-based studies undertaken in the same countries revealed that the percentages of women and men living with HIV who knew their HIV sero-positive status were 12-25% and 8-24%, respectively (WHO ⁄ UNAIDS ⁄ UNICEF 2007). Traditional VCT-related barriers, such as low perceived risk for HIV infection and lack of access to free testing (Nakanjako et al 2006), general negative perceptions of test services, stigmatizing beliefs coupled with fear of discrimination (Kalichman & Simbayi 2003), a shortage of counsellors, concerns about confidentiality and delays in returning HIV test results (Creek et al 2007) continue to hamper effective access to and uptake of VCT in many sub-Saharan African countries (Kalichman & Simbayi 2003;Urassa et al 2005;Marum et al 2006;Thior et al 2006;Yoder et al 2006;Creek et al 2007).…”