Fear of Stigmatization as Barrier To Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing In South Africa
East Afr. j. health sci. (Online)
; 5(2): 49-54, 2008.
Article
in En
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1261427
Responsible library:
CG1.1
ABSTRACT
Objective:
The objective of this qualitative study was to identify psychosocial correlates of HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT); with an emphasis on the association between fear of AIDS-related stigma and willingness to have an HIV test.Methods:
The study was executed in Limpopo Province at University of Limpopo; Polokwane; South Africa. Focus group interviews were held among 72 students; divided over 10 groups.Results:
Results showed that participants had different levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and VCT; and that AIDS was still strongly associated with 'death'. Results further demonstrate that HIV/ AIDS related stigma is still a very serious problem in South Africa. Lack of HIV/ AIDS related knowledge; blaming persons with HIV/AIDS for their infection; and the life-threatening character of the disease were seen as the most important determinants of AIDS-related stigma. The main benefit to go for VCT was 'knowing your HIV status'; whereas main barriers for testing were 'fear of being stigmatised' and `fear of knowing your HIV positive status'.Conclusion:
Fear of stigmatization is an important barrier to HIV testing and has negative consequences for AIDS prevention and treatment. Interventions to reduce HIV-related stigma are needed in order to foster voluntary HIV counselling and testing in South Africa
Full text:
1
Database:
AIM
Main subject:
Stereotyping
/
Volunteers
/
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
/
HIV
/
Counseling
Type of study:
Qualitative_research
Language:
En
Journal:
East Afr. j. health sci. (Online)
Year:
2008
Type:
Article