Open Access“To know or not to know”: Service-related barriers to Voiuntary HIV Counseling and Testing (VCT) in South Africa
Author(s) -
Alta C. van Dyk,
Peet J. Van Dyk
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
curationis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.408
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 2223-6279
pISSN - 0379-8577
DOI - 10.4102/curationis.v26i1.1289
Subject(s) - confidentiality , voluntary counseling and testing , nobody , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , developing country , family medicine , medicine , service (business) , nursing , health services , health care , psychology , population , environmental health , business , political science , law , health facility , economic growth , marketing , computer science , economics , operating system
Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing (VCT) is still in its infancy in South Africa, and although the necessary infrastructure in terms of clinics and hospitals exists, a VCT culture is not yet established in the country. The purpose of this study was to determine the needs, attitudes and beliefs of a sample of South Africans towards VCT, and to investigate possible barriers affecting participation in VCT programs in South Africa. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to survey the views of 1422 people. Results indicate that while subjects were not opposed to VCT in principle, 33% would go to clinics where nobody would know them. The following problems with VCT services were mentioned: Logistical problems (not enough counsellors, long lines, lack of privacy); no trust in the health care system or fearing a breach of confidentiality; fear of rejection; and a lack of follow-up support after diagnosis. Suggestions are made on how to improve VCT services in South Africa.