Abstract
Background. A formative assessment of the implementation of HIV testing and counseling (HTC) at school showed high acceptability and willingness to test among learners. However, the success of the proposed HTC depends on the support and acceptability of key stakeholders, including the parents. The aim of the study was to assess the opinions and acceptability of the implementation of HTC at school among parents of adolescents in high school. Methods. This was a cross-sectional household survey conducted with parents of adolescents attending high schools in educational districts in North West and Gauteng provinces, South Africa. Results. A total of 804 parents participated, and 548 (68.3%) were biological mothers, 85 (10.6%) were fathers, and the remaining were other relatives including grandmothers. Almost all (n = 742, 92.9%) parents were in support of implementation and provision of HTC at school, 701 (87.7%) would allow their children to be tested at school, 365 (46%) felt that parental consent was not needed to test at school, and 39.4% preferred to receive the HIV test results with their children. Conclusion. Parents accept the roll-out of an HTC program at school and have a role to play in supporting children who test positive for HIV.
Highlights
A formative evaluation was conducted in 2013 to assess the opinions of high school learners about the implementation of HIV testing and counseling (HTC) in schools and showed high acceptability of HTC and willingness among learners to test at school [1]
They wanted to be involved by providing consent for their children to be tested at school, to be there when their child receives their HIV test results, and to support a child who tested positive for HIV
These views did not apply to all parents, as some felt that the child does not need parental consent to be tested at school and that the HIV test results should be provided to the child alone at school
Summary
A formative evaluation was conducted in 2013 to assess the opinions of high school learners about the implementation of HIV testing and counseling (HTC) in schools and showed high acceptability of HTC and willingness among learners to test at school [1]. The majority (84%) of learners were willing to test at school [1], the success of the proposed roll-out of HTC at school depends on the support and acceptability of key stakeholders, such as educators, school governing bodies, parents/guardians, and healthcare providers. The policy proposes to provide, via mobile health units, counseling on sexual and reproductive health issues to all senior, further education and training (FET) phase, and intermediate learners, where required. This should include the provision of dual protection contraception, HTC, and screening for STIs. Under roles and responsibilities, the policy proposes that parents and communities will be required to participate in the school response to HIV and TB and the implementation of programs at the school level.
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