Kiranga JW; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).

Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. D10693.

University, Nairobi, Kenya

Background: The study investigates women's experiences and perceptions of HIV counselling and testing as well as motivating and deterring factors in seeking counselling and testing. VCT has been shown to be important in both HIV prevention and for people with the HIV infection as an early entry point to care (UNAIDS May 2000). It also gives people an opportunity to talk about their HIV status and issues in their lives in a confidential and supportive relationship. Counselling provides psychological support and referral to medical care. Knowledge of HIV sero-status can facilitate informed choice on decisions about marriage, pregnancy, protecting oneself and ones partners (UNAIDS, May 2000). Specifically for women, VCT provides an opportunity for early access interventions to prevent mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV infection (WHO, Jan 2000). Methodology: The research was qualitative and was conducted among women in Kibera, Nairobi. It utilised library and field research. It used semi-structured interview guides which were carried out in groups of six participants each and one group having seven participants. Conclusion: In conclusion, findings revealed that the participants perceive VCT as a valuable service. VCT was also perceived to be playing a significant role both in prevention and care in HIV and AIDS. However the services tend to be mainly utilised by the infected who are sickly and are often referred from health centres. There is need to have strategies, which can encourage others to seek VCT. The study established the major motivators and deterrents in seeking VCT among the women to be poor state of health and fear at the emotional, physical and psychological levels were a major deterrent. However, there is need for further research on the impact of VCT on risk behaviour change.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Attitude
• Attitude to Health
• Child
• Counseling
• Female
• HIV
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seroprevalence
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Health Services Needs and Demand
• Humans
• Interviews as Topic
• Kenya
• Perception
• Pregnancy
• methods

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0033600

UI: 102277816

From Meeting Abstracts