Perceptions Of Men With Regard To Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) Voluntary Counselling And Testing, Windhoek

ABSTRACT

HIV testing continues to be very important for monitoring the progress of the epidemic, and for diagnosing individuals with HIV. HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) is one of the key strategies in the prevention of HIV and AIDS and it is a critical entry point of access to HIV and AIDS treatment and care. The scale up of HIV treatment is important to the response. However, enrolment into treatment and care continues to be hampered by the low uptake of VCT, especially among men (32%) (MoHSS, 2010d). It is apparent that the participation of men in VCT is influenced by various factors.

The aim of the study was to explore and describe perceptions of men with regard to HIV voluntary counselling and testing in Windhoek. A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design was applied in this study while the researcher used a purposive sampling technique. Data was collected through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with men who met the inclusion criteria and willing to participate in the study. The following research ethics were observed during the study: informed consent, approval from relevant authorities, confidentiality, voluntary participation and data protection. An interview guide was used to facilitate the interviews. The interviews were voice recorded, transcribed, and analysed by using Tesch’s approach to data analysis.

The findings showed that men had a positive perception of HIV voluntary counselling and testing and emphasised the important role it plays in the lives of individuals. Furthermore, the participants’ outlook on VCT was earnest and appreciable; such an outlook was very important and needed in the prevention and

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control of HIV. However, men expressed the fear of positive results, stigma and discrimination as the main barrier to HIV voluntary counselling and testing, which could have negative effects on the HIV prevention and treatment programmes. It is, therefore, very critical and important to improve health education by educating men on HIV and AIDS related stigma and devise strategies that can address the needs of men.

It is clear from this study that measures for dealing with stigma are non-existent and, therefore, the Ministry of Health and Social Services needs to introduce measures that would reduce the fear of stigma. Although men are aware of the benefits of HIV Counselling and Testing, factors such as cultural beliefs, fear of being tested positive, fear of being stigmatized, and masculinity influence men’s uptake on HIV voluntary counselling and testing. Continued efforts are thus needed to encourage HIV counselling and testing among men.

In order to increase the VCT uptake by men, the proposed solutions include men-to-men talks in the communities, promotion of VCT services at men’s social events, attractive campaigns, and home-based testing. The researcher further recommends that strategies specifically designed for men should be implemented in order to attract the attention of men to HIV testing services. In addition, a complete review of the approach to pre and post counselling needs to happen with the aim of conducting it in such a way that clients do not need to fear the onset of depression