Perceptions of door-to-door HIV counselling and testing in Botswana

Prevalence of HIV infection in Botswana is among the highest in the world, at 23.9% of 15 - 49-year-olds. Most HIV testing is conducted in voluntary counselling and testing centres or medical settings. Improved access to testing is urgently needed. This qualitative study assessed and documented comm...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	SAHARA J : journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research Alliance Vol. 8; no. 4; pp. 171 - 178
Main Authors:	Kroeger, Karen, Taylor, Allan W, Marlow, Heather M, Fleming, Douglas T, Beyleveld, Vanessa, Alwano, Mary Grace, Kejelepula, Mabel Tebogo, Chilume, Kentsenao Busang, Smith, Dawn K, Roels, Thierry, Kilmarx, Peter
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	South Africa Taylor & Francis Group 2011 Taylor & Francis Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects:	Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Adolescent Adult AIDS AIDS Serodiagnosis AIDS/HIV Attitude to Health Botswana Coercion Community Confidentiality Conflict Conseil et depistage conseil et dépistage Counseling Counselling Counselling and testing Depistage du VIH a domicile Directive Counseling dépistage du VIH à domicile Female Focus Groups Health Services Accessibility HIV HIV Infections - diagnosis HIV Infections - prevention & control HIV Infections - psychology HIV/AIDS Home based Home Care Services Home-based HIV testing Households Human immunodeficiency virus Humans Knowledge Male Medical tests Medicine Mental stress Middle Aged Needs Patient Acceptance of Health Care Perception Perceptions Prevention Preventive medicine Psychological distress Qualitative analysis Qualitative research Recherche qualitative Relatives Risk Assessment Social Support Stigma Tests Threat VIH/Sida Young Adult Botswana
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Summary:	Prevalence of HIV infection in Botswana is among the highest in the world, at 23.9% of 15 - 49-year-olds. Most HIV testing is conducted in voluntary counselling and testing centres or medical settings. Improved access to testing is urgently needed. This qualitative study assessed and documented community perceptions about the concept of door-to-door HIV counselling and rapid testing in two of the highest-prevalence districts of Botswana. Community members associated many positive benefits with home-based, door-to-door HIV testing, including convenience, confidentiality, capacity to increase the number of people tested, and opportunities to increase knowledge of HIV transmission, prevention and care through provision of correct information to households. Community members also saw the intervention as increasing opportunities to engage and influence family members and to role model positive behaviours. Participants also perceived social risks and dangers associated with home-based testing including the potential for conflict, coercion, stigma, and psychological distress within households. Community members emphasised the need for individual and community preparation, including procedures to protect confidentiality, provisions for psychological and social support, and links to appropriate services for HIV-positive persons.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-2 ObjectType-Feature-1
ISSN:	1729-0376 1813-4424
DOI:	10.1080/17290376.2011.9725001