[Preliminary information to patients and presentation by Burkinabe physicians of the results of HIV detection test in Burkina Faso]. / Information préalable des patients et annonce par les médecins burkinabé des résultats des tests sérologiques de dépistage de l'infection à VIH au Burkina Faso.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The action of individuals and their family is determining in the result of AIDS control and the knowledge of people's serological situation facilitates their involvement in AIDS control. This study was carried out in order METHODS: A transversal investigation through a self-administered anonymous questionnaire was carried out among the 250 Burkinabe physicians working in a public, private or religious health care sector. The questionnaire was sent by mail, attached to a response coupon. A response of 74% was obtained. RESULTS: Seventy seven physicians, that is 48.7% of the sample, informed patients who were likely to be HIV infected about their intention to ask for an HIV test. Seventy five physicians, that is 47.5% of the sample informed patients on the results of their serological tests on HIV infection. The characteristics of physicians who informed customers on the results of their serological test were similar to those of physicians who informed their patients on the demand for test concerning them. There were often specialists, physicians with long experience in medical practice and physicians more involving in curative consultations than in preventive ones (respectively 54.7% versus 23.3%, p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: These results show the necessity of providing young physicians with counselling training, especially general practitioners who should be working in prevention services. Moreover, they constitute a basis for an objective discussion between physicians working in hospital, officials in charge of the national program for AIDS control and medical training schools.