Perceived acceptability of home-based couples voluntary HIV counseling and testing in Northern Tanzania.
Abstract
It is estimated that 5.6% of the Tanzanian population ages 15-49 are infected with
HIV, but only 30% of adults have ever had an HIV test. Couples' testing has proven
to increase testing coverage and introduce HIV prevention, but barriers include access
to testing services and unequal gender dynamics in relationships. Innovative approaches
are needed to address barriers to couple's testing and increase uptake of HIV testing.
Using qualitative data collection methods, a formative study was conducted to assess
the acceptability of a home-based couples counseling and testing (HBCCT) approach.
Eligible study participants included married men and women, HIV-infected individuals,
health care and home-based care providers, voluntary counseling and testing counselors,
and community leaders. A total of 91 individuals participated in focus group discussions
(FGDs) and in-depth interviews conducted between September 2009 and January 2010 in
rural settings in Northern Tanzania. An HBCCT intervention appears to be broadly acceptable
among participants. Benefits of HBCCT were identified in terms of access, confidentiality,
and strengthening the relationship. Fears of negative consequences from knowing one's
HIV status, including stigma, blame, physical abuse, or divorce, remain a concern
and a potential barrier to the successful provision of the intervention. Lessons for
implementation highlighted the importance of appointments for home visits, building
relationships of confidence and trust between counselors and clients, and assessing
and responding to a couple's readiness to undergo HIV testing. HBCCT should addresses
HIV stigma, emphasize confidentiality, and improve communication skills for disclosure
and decision-making among couples.
Type
Journal articleSubject
AdultCounseling
Emotional Intelligence
Female
Focus Groups
HIV Infections
HIV Seropositivity
Health Services Needs and Demand
Home Care Services
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Mass Screening
Middle Aged
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Rural Health
Social Perception
Social Stigma
Spouses
Tanzania
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/6063Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1080/09540121.2011.608796Publication Info
Njau, B; Watt, MH; Ostermann, J; Manongi, R; & Sikkema, KJ (2012). Perceived acceptability of home-based couples voluntary HIV counseling and testing
in Northern Tanzania. AIDS Care, 24(4). pp. 413-419. 10.1080/09540121.2011.608796. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/6063.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
Collections
More Info
Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Jan Ostermann
Adjunct Associate Professor of Global Health
Kathleen J. Sikkema
Research Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
Kathleen J. Sikkema, Ph.D., Gosnell Family Professor of Global Health, Psychology
and Neuroscience, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University, is a
clinical psychologist with emphases in health and community psychology. She is the
Director of Doctoral Studies at the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI), Director
of the Social and Behavioral Science Core in Duke's Center for AIDS Research (CFAR),
an
Melissa Watt
Adjunct Associate Professor of Global Health
Dr. Watt's research focuses on understanding and addressing gender-specific health
issues in sub-Saharan Africa, with specific attention to HIV, substance use and mental
health. In Tanzania, she currently leads an implementation science study aimed at
improving access to long-term antiretroviral therapy for pregnant women with HIV.
In South Africa, she is collaborating with Dr. Kathleen Sikkema on a study to support
H
Alphabetical list of authors with Scholars@Duke profiles.

Articles written by Duke faculty are made available through the campus open access policy. For more information see: Duke Open Access Policy
Rights for Collection: Scholarly Articles
Works are deposited here by their authors, and represent their research and opinions, not that of Duke University. Some materials and descriptions may include offensive content. More info