[TuPp0203] UNDERSTANDING MALE AND FEMALE EXPERIENCE AND NEEDS IN RELATION TO HIV TESTING IN RURAL ZIMBABWE

3rd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment

Rio de Janeiro - July 24 - 27, 2005

UNDERSTANDING MALE AND FEMALE EXPERIENCE AND NEEDS IN RELATION TO HIV TESTING IN RURAL ZIMBABWE

IAS Conf HIV Pathog Treat 2005 Jul 24-27;3rd: Abstract No. TuPp0203

SHerr L.¹, Gregson S.², Nyamukapa C.³, Oberzaucher N.⁴, Lopman B.⁵, Mushati P.³, Garnett G.⁵, Chandiwana S.³
¹ UCL, London, United Kingdom, ² Imperial College, London, United Kingdom, ³ IC, Zimbabwe, ⁴ Vienna, Austria, ⁵ IC, London, United Kingdom

INTRODUCTION: To explore uptake of Voluntary counselling and testing in rural Zimbabwe with reference to gender.

METHODS: In a household survey in 12 rural areas in Manicaland, Zimbabwe 8,663 respondents (3,471 males, 5,192 females) completed confidential standardised survey data reporting demographics, behaviour, HIV testing experience and 8,231 (95%) provided blood samples for an anonymous HIV dipstick test.

RESULTS: 1,637 respondents were HIV positive, giving a 19.9% prevalence of HIV. The majority wanted to know if they were HIV infected (n=7650 (88.3%). Males were more likely to want to know their status (3,139 males (90.5%) vs 4,511 (86.9%) females p<.0001). However, only 1,397 (16.1%) had actually had an HIV test. Males were significantly more likely to have had an HIV test (770 (22.2%) vs 627 (12%) p<.0001. Of 1,397 tested, females were significantly more likely to receive pre-test counselling (64.7% vs 22.2% p<.0001) and collect results (72.2% vs 46.9%). There was no gender difference in post-test counselling. Of concern was the fact that over 30% did not receive post test counselling. For men and women, those who received pre-test counselling were significantly more likely to return for results (82.9% vs 20.6% men; 80.9% vs 56.5% women). For the whole sample, there were a multitude of factors deterring them from going for an HIV test . Psychological factors accounted for 32.3% of deterrents. Males were more likely to mention psychological deterrents than females. Knowledge of HIV status was probably low when comparisons of those who were positive by dipstick was compared to those who had ever had an HIV test and collected the results. Only 12% men and 11% of women fulfilled these criteria.

CONCLUSIONS: This data has implications for strategy, the quality of provision of VCT and a reappraisal of stereotypes in the literature – especially in relation to men.

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Prevention | TuPp0203 | Lorraine Sherr
Voluntary counselling and testing

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