Introduction of voluntary counselling and rapid testing for HIV in rural South Africa

From theory to practice

Dados Bibliográficos

ID19440649
AutoresPaul Pronyk (0000-0001-7591-2627, University of the Witwatersrand), P M Pronyk, J C Kim (0000-0001-8046-1621, University of the Witwatersrand), Mzamani Benjamin Makhubele (University of the Witwatersrand), Julian Hargreaves (0000-0002-3509-3572, University of the Witwatersrand), J R Hargreaves, R Mohlala, Reagan L Mohlala (0000-0003-2683-8656, University of the Witwatersrand), Harry Hausler (0000-0001-5896-4089, Department of Health), H P Hausler
Ano2002
Volume14
Fascículo6
Páginas859-865
Data de publicação2002-12-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoAIDS Care (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0954-0121 • E-ISSN: 1360-0451
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0954012021000031921
PMID12511218
OpenAlexW2094787031
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas19
Referências citadas8

Expanding access to voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV is an important first step in the development of a comprehensive package of HIV services. This article describes the introduction of VCT among five primary health care (PHC) facilities in a rural South African setting, alongside a multidimensional impact assessment as part of a national pilot programme. A baseline review of services demonstrated low levels of VCT, which were predominantly hospital-based. Twenty health workers in five PHC facilities were trained to provide VCT using rapid-testing assays. The feasibility of VCT introduction and its overall acceptability to clients and providers were evaluated using clinic testing registers, semi-structured interviews with counsellors and mock client encounters. One year after its introduction, a major increase in the quantity of HIV testing, the proportion of clients who receive their results, and the proportion who present voluntarily was observed. The majority of those presenting were women, and 20-40 year olds predominated. There was a high level of acceptance among health workers, and the quality of VCT was rated very good in mock client encounters. This work demonstrates one effective model for improving access to VCT through existing primary health care services in a rural South African context

Developing country · Economic growth · Environmental health · Family medicine · Geography · Health care · Health facility · Health services · Health worker · Management · Political science · Population · Program evaluation · Turnover · Voluntary counseling and testing · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology