Abstract
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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 171-178 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Sahara J |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 1 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Botswana
- Counselling and testing
- HIV/AIDS
- Home-based HIV testing
- Qualitative research
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Immunology and Allergy
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Infectious Diseases
Cite this
Perceptions of door-to-door HIV counselling and testing in Botswana. / Kroeger, Karen; Taylor, Allan; Marlow, Heather; Fleming, Douglas T.; Beyleveld, Vanessa; Alwano, Mary Grace; Kejelepula, Mabel Tebogo; Chilume, Kentsenao Busang; Smith, Dawn K.; Roels, Thierry H.; Kilmarx, Peter H.
In: Sahara J, Vol. 8, No. 4, 01.12.2011, p. 171-178.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Perceptions of door-to-door HIV counselling and testing in Botswana
AU - Kroeger, Karen
AU - Taylor, Allan
AU - Marlow, Heather
AU - Fleming, Douglas T.
AU - Beyleveld, Vanessa
AU - Alwano, Mary Grace
AU - Kejelepula, Mabel Tebogo
AU - Chilume, Kentsenao Busang
AU - Smith, Dawn K.
AU - Roels, Thierry H.
AU - Kilmarx, Peter H.
PY - 2011/12/1
Y1 - 2011/12/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Botswana
KW - Counselling and testing
KW - HIV/AIDS
KW - Home-based HIV testing
KW - Qualitative research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84866288796&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84866288796&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/17290376.2011.9725001
DO - 10.1080/17290376.2011.9725001
M3 - Article
C2 - 23236958
AN - SCOPUS:84866288796
VL - 8
SP - 171
EP - 178
JO - Sahara J
JF - Sahara J
SN - 1729-0376
IS - 4
ER -