This research study aimed at investigating the acceptability, knowledge and perceptions ofpregnant women towards IDV testing in pregnancy in Ilembe District. An exploratory research design guided the study. A systematic random sampling was used to select fourty pregnant women who were attending clinic for the first time in their current pregnancy. Self-administered questionnaires with close-ended questions were used in the collection ofdata. The questions included the women's demographic details, their views towards IDV testing, knowledge and acceptability ofIDV testing. Forty questionnaires were distributed and they were all returned. Quantitative method was used to analyse data. The fmdings ofthe study revealed that women in the sample were relatively young (18-25) with the percentage of45% and most ofthem were unmarried (90%). The majority ofwomen (92.5%) said testing was a good idea and 85% said it is necessary. However only 52.5% said they will opt for HIV testing. Uptake ofHIV testing was found to be low. Eighty-seven and a half percent (87.5%) women were ofthe opinion that IDV testing in pregnancy was ofbenefit to the mother and her baby. Women in the study were found to have good understanding and good perceptions towards IDV testing in pregnancy, but thus was not consistent with their behaviour. Meaning that in spite of their good understanding and good perceptions towards IDV testing in pregnancy, only a small percentage (52%) of respondents said they will opt for the IDV test. The researcher's expectations were one hundred percent response. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.

M.Cur. (Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Care) / Free voluntary counselling and testing (VeT) for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) by the international community and many African states is the entry point into HIV and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) prevention, care, treatment and support. It is therefore worrisome that despite the Botswana government' multiple HIV preventative strategies, of the 56% Batswana who tested for HIV in 2008, only 34% know their status (National AIDS Coordinating Agency, Central Statistics Office & Ministry of Health, 2009:4). Among those who were tested, women outnumbered men, but even these women only had their HIV-status tested when they were already pregnant or when one of their children was suspected to have contracted AIDS, an observation that Hamblin and Reid (1991:4) has made years ago. Ethical standards were followed to conduct a study, the purpose of which was to explore and describe the reasons why women in Gaborone only volunteered to go for vcr of HIV when they were already pregnant, instead ofdoing so before they conceived. An exploratory, descriptive, qualitative and contextual design was used. Participants who met the sampling criteria were interviewed and data was audio-taped before transcription and analysis. An independent coder was involved to confirm the themes and sub-themes before relevant literature was searched. Strategies of trustworthiness were adhered to in the study (Lincoln & Guba, 1985:289-331). Findings revealed that the most significant reason for participants not testing for HIV prior to pregnancy was fear of consequences of an HIV-positive result, such as stigma and discrimination against them by their partners, families and communities should they test HIV-positive, Another reason was the socio-cultural beliefs, norms and values expressed in different forms. However, once they fell pregnant, they had themselves tested because their fear of losing their babies to HIV overruled their fear ofbeing ostracised by anybody else. Based on the findings, guidelines were formulated to assist midwives and HIV and AIDS counsellors to facilitate uptake of vcr of HIV prior to pregnancy among childbearing women and men from as young as +-15 years. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations made concerning midwifery practice, education and possible further research on this topic on a larger scale.