Quality of HIV counselling in South Africa
SOURCE: Journal of Psychology [Delhi]
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2015
TITLE AUTHOR(S): N.Mohlabane, K.Peltzer, A.Mwisongo, Y.Ntsepe, B.Tutshana, H.Van Rooyen, L.Knight
KEYWORDS: HIV TESTING AND COUNSELLING (HTC), HIV/AIDS
DEPARTMENT: Public Health, Societies and Belonging (HSC)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 8738
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/1856
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/1856
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2015
TITLE AUTHOR(S): N.Mohlabane, K.Peltzer, A.Mwisongo, Y.Ntsepe, B.Tutshana, H.Van Rooyen, L.Knight
KEYWORDS: HIV TESTING AND COUNSELLING (HTC), HIV/AIDS
DEPARTMENT: Public Health, Societies and Belonging (HSC)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 8738
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/1856
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/1856
If you would like to obtain a copy of this Research Output, please contact Hanlie Baudin at researchoutputs@hsrc.ac.za.
Abstract
HIV counselling and testing (HCT) has become increasingly available in South Africa since the 1990s. Over 4500 public health facilities offer client and provider-initiated HIV counselling and testing. Counselling and testing remain key components of HIV/AIDS prevention as they provide an entry point into prevention, care, treatment and support services. This paper examines the quality of HIV counselling in government and Nongovernmental (NGO) facilities and reviews adherence to the HCT policy guidelines during counselling sessions in 67 HIV counselling and testing (HCT) sites across 8 South African provinces. The assessment used both quantitative and qualitative methods. In total 149 structured observations of counselling sessions were conducted using a written checklist and audio recording. This assessment confirms that while counselling does occur prior and post HIV testing, the quality of counselling differs between sites and does not match the South African HCT policy guidelines. The following key aspects were not adequately discussed with clients: risk assessment and reduction, partner involvement, supportive care and treatment for those testing HIV positive. Confidentiality was also compromised by frequent interruptions during some sessions. The assessment indicated that ongoing training and mentoring of counsellors needs to be addressed, to make the HCT programme more effective.-
Related Research Outputs:
- The development of harmonized minimum standards for guidance on HIV testing and counselling (HTC) in the SADC region: assessment report on HTC policy reviews
- Regional minimum standards for guidance on HIV testing and counselling (HTC) in the SADC region
- Factors determining prenatal HIV testing for prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV in Mpumalanga, South Africa
- Using participatory mapping to inform a community-randomized trial of HIV counseling and testing
- Lay counsellor-based risk reduction intervention with HIV negative diagnosed patients at HIV counselling and testing sites in a rural South African setting
- Accuracy of serological assays for detection of recent infection with HIV and estimation of population incidence: a systematic review
- Approaches to HIV counselling and testing: strengths and weaknesses, and challenges for the way forward
- Routine HIV testing (RHT) and its implications for the socio-economic right of access to health care in South Africa
- The development of harmonized minimum standards for guidance on HIV testing and counselling and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in the SADC region: PMTCT country report: Mauritius
- The development of harmonized minimum standards for guidance on HIV testing and counselling and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in the SADC region: PMTCT country report: Zambia
- The development of harmonized minimum standards for guidance on HIV testing and counselling and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in the SADC region: PMTCT country report: Namibia
- The development of harmonized minimum standards for guidance on HIV testing and counselling and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in the SADC region: PMTCT country report: Lesotho
- The development of harmonized minimum standards for guidance on HIV testing and counselling and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in the SADC region: PMTCT country report: South Africa
- The development of harmonized minimum standards for guidance on HIV testing and counselling and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in the SADC region: HTC country report: Namibia
- The development of harmonized minimum standards for guidance on HIV testing and counselling and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in the SADC region: HTC country report: South Africa
- The development of harmonized minimum standards for guidance on HIV testing and counselling and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in the SADC region: HTC country report: Zambia
- The development of harmonized minimum standards for guidance on HIV testing and counselling and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in the SADC region: HTC country report: Lesotho
- The development of harmonized minimum standards for guidance on HIV testing and counselling and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in the SADC region: HTC country report: Mauritius
- Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) site-based brief HIV behavioural risk reduction counselling for HIV negative and HIV positive clients at HIV counselling and testing sites in Mpumalanga, South Africa
- Substance use and HIV risk among HIV infected and uninfected Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) clients in Gert Sibande district, South Africa