Abstract
Background: Many university students were found to be engaging in high HIV risk practiceson campuses which then necessitated discovering their HIV status by participating in HIVcounselling and testing (HCT) campaigns. HCT is an entry point into a comprehensivecontinuum of prevention, treatment, care and support services for HIV infection and AIDS.However, it was also found that many students, mostly males, did not take regular HIV teststo discover their HIV status and receive the necessary counselling and support.Objectives: The innovative Gentlemen’s Club was therefore implemented at a universitycampus to increase HCT uptake.The club was formed to motivate male students on behaviourand lifestyle changes so that they could become responsible men.Method: To join the club, a student was required to take a confidential HIV test and as amember he was expected to follow rules of good and responsible behaviour as prescribed bythe club.Results: Club membership and attendance for meetings showed an increase after the launchof the club in 2010 because of its appeal, and there was also a notable increase in the numberof male students attending HCT campaigns. Women have formed a similar club to motivateother women to take regular HIV tests as well.Conclusion: The Gentlemen’s Club was an innovative idea that increased HCT uptake by malestudents and served as vehicle to address health and social issues facing university students.
Highlights
There is a high level of HIV risk practices amongst university students worldwide,[1] necessitating a need for them to know their HIV status.[2]
This case study reports on an innovative idea implemented at a university campus to motivate male students to take regular HIV tests and live responsibly
HIV counselling and testing (HCT) is very important as it is an entry point into a comprehensive continuum of care involving prevention, treatment, care, support and wellness regarding HIV infection and the subsequent development of AIDS.[3,6,7]
Summary
There is a high level of HIV risk practices amongst university students worldwide,[1] necessitating a need for them to know their HIV status.[2]. HIV counselling and testing (HCT) uptake amongst students at the University of Limpopo Turfloop Campus is low and more females than males utilise the available reproductive health services, as is the case in the general population in South Africa.[3,4] Nationally and internationally male HIV testing continues to lag behind that of females.[5] HCT is very important as it is an entry point into a comprehensive continuum of care involving prevention, treatment, care, support and wellness regarding HIV infection and the subsequent development of AIDS.[3,6,7] HCT, which in South Africa was previously referred to as VCT, enables people to know their HIV status, which in turn leads to healthier lifestyles such as following safe sex practices, and a reduction in HIV-associated denial as well as in stigmatising and discrimination.[8,9] People who test positive are referred for further tests to evaluate their CD4 count in preparation for life-sustaining ARV treatment and care programmes.[10,11] Communication and mobilisation strategies for HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment and care services can convince people of the importance of taking an HIV test regularly.[12] When people become used to the available communication and mobilisation strategies, innovation becomes necessary. It was found that many students, mostly males, did not take regular HIV tests to discover their HIV status and receive the necessary counselling and support
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