Abstract
BackgroundWith millions of South Africans infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and less than 10% of the population aware of their HIV status, HIV counselling and testing (HCT) is the first step in any attempt to reduce the number of new infections. For those who test negative, HCT personalises the risks and reinforces preventative messages whilst for those who are positive, it is the gateway to accessing counselling and care. The Health Belief Model postulates that knowledge and attitude influence behaviour. The aim of this study was to determine whether knowledge of HIV and the attitude of patients referred for HCT correlated with a willingness to test for HIV.MethodsOne hundred and seventy two patients referred for HCT were randomly selected over a three month period. Data were collected by a research assistant using the modified standardised World Health Organization (WHO)–Global AIDS Project (GAP) questionnaire.ResultsNinety per cent of the participants demonstrated sound knowledge of HIV, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HCT. Despite the 90% of the participants with sound knowledge only 71.5% of the participants tested for HIV. There was no statistically significant difference in knowledge between those who tested and those who did not test for HIV. Twenty five per cent of those who refused to test stated that they had already made up their mind not to test for HIV before the counselling session.ConclusionsDespite excellent knowledge of HIV, a significant number of patients referred for HCT do not test for HIV.
Highlights
Opinions vary amongst the general public, healthcare workers and the government regarding which of the two approaches is the more appropriate strategy to adopt towards the early detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), that is, making use of ‘universal’ testing or ‘voluntary’ testing
In July 2008, UNAIDS– World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that the prevalence of HIV amongst South African individuals aged between 15 and 49 years was 18.1%
Linked to the increasing prevalence of HIV there has been a dramatic rise in mortality rates in South Africa from 1997 when an estimated 316 559 people died of AIDS, to 2006 when 607 184 people died of an AIDS-related illness.[2]
Summary
Key focusOpinions vary amongst the general public, healthcare workers and the government regarding which of the two approaches is the more appropriate strategy to adopt towards the early detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), that is, making use of ‘universal’ testing or ‘voluntary’ testing. Voluntary HIV testing, which respects the individual’s decision towards testing, reduces the chances of disease detection because many patients refuse to be tested and their autonomy has to be respected As a result, these individuals could compromise their health as well as the health of others, as their unborn babies and their sexual partners are at risk of getting infected. Millions of rands have been spent on intensive educational efforts by organisations such as Love Life, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), Khomanani, Brother for Life, and the South African government’s drive to educate the country’s population about HIV and to influence sexual behaviour Despite these initiatives the prevalence of HIV continues to rise throughout the country.[2] http://www.phcfm.org
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