Community views about routine HIV testing and antiretroviral treatment in Botswana: signs of progress from a cross sectional study

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorCockcroft, Anne
dc.contributor.authorAndersson, Neil
dc.contributor.authorMilne, Deborah
dc.contributor.authorMokoena, Thamie
dc.contributor.authorMasisi, Mokgweetsi
dc.date.accessioned2010-02-18T14:11:17Z
dc.date.available2010-02-18T14:11:17Z
dc.date.copyright2007
dc.date.issued2007-06
dc.description.abstractBackground: The Botswana government began providing free antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2002 and in 2004 introduced routine HIV testing (RHT) in government health facilities, aiming to increase HIV testing and uptake of ART. There have been concerns that the RHT programme might be coercive, lead to increased partner violence, and drive people away from government health services. // Methods: We conducted a household survey of 1536 people in a stratified random sample of communities across Botswana, asking about use and experience of government health services, views about RHT, views about ART, and testing for HIV in the last 12 months. Focus groups further discussed issues about ART. // Results: Some 81% of respondents had visited a government clinic within the last 24 months. Of these 92% were satisfied with the service, 96% felt they were treated with respect and 90% were comfortable about confidentiality. Almost all respondents said they would choose a government clinic for treatment of AIDS. // Nearly one half (47%) thought they were at risk of HIV. Those who had experienced partner violence within the last 12 months were more likely to think themselves at risk. One half of those who had visited a government facility in the last 24 months were offered HIV tests, and nearly half were tested. A few (8%) of those who were not asked thought they were tested. Most people (79%) had heard of RHT and 94% were in favour of it. Over one half (55%) of the entire sample had been tested for HIV within the last 12 months, one half of these through RHT. Women were more likely to have been tested. // Nearly everyone (94%) had heard of ART and thought it could help AIDS. Focus groups identified problems of access to ART due to distance from treatment centres and long queues in the centres. // Conclusion: Public awareness and approval of RHT was very high. The high rate of RHT has contributed to the overall high rate of HIV testing. The government's programme to increase HIV testing and uptake of ART is apparently working well. However, turning the tide of the epidemic will also require further concerted efforts to reduce the rate of new HIV infections.en
dc.formatTexten
dc.format.extent1 digital file (p. 1-11)en
dc.identifier.citationCockcroft, A., Andersson, N., Milne, D., Mokoena, T., & Masisi, M. (2007). Community views about routine HIV testing and antiretroviral treatment in Botswana: signs of progress from a cross sectional study. BMC International Health and Human Rights, 7(5), 1-11. doi:10.1186/1472-698X-7-5en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10625/41643
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherBioMed Central, London, GBen
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0
dc.subjectHEALTH SURVEYSen
dc.subjectATTITUDESen
dc.subjectHIVen
dc.subjectAIDSen
dc.subjectTESTINGen
dc.subjectTHERAPYen
dc.subjectBOTSWANAen
dc.titleCommunity views about routine HIV testing and antiretroviral treatment in Botswana: signs of progress from a cross sectional studyen
dc.typeJournal Article (peer-reviewed)en
idrc.copyright.holderCockcroft et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
idrc.copyright.oapermissionsourceCC BYen
idrc.dspace.accessOpen Accessen
idrc.project.number102834
idrc.project.number105053
idrc.project.titleCommunity Views of Antiretroviral Therapy in Southern Africa - Phase Ien
idrc.project.titleAIDS Prevention for the Underserved Majority : the Choice Disabled (Southern Africa)en
idrc.rims.adhocgroupIDRC SUPPORTEDen

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
IDL-41643.pdf
Size:
181.27 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download

Collections

IDRC Research Results / Résultats de recherches du CRDI
2000-2009 / Années 2000-2009
Research Results (GEHS) / Résultats de recherches (GESS)