Introduction Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) play a crucial role in the control and management of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It is essential to understand the factors that influence the utilisation of VCT to improve implementation of measures that encourage VCT uptake. The purpose of this study was to determine factors affecting the utilisation of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services for HIV/AIDS in Sowa, Botswana. Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried out by collecting data from 71 randomly selected participants residing in the community of Sowa, Botswana. Open and close ended questions were used. Relevant demographic data were collected from each respondent. Univariate and multivariate analysis was done using chi square test and logistic regression models through STATA11 statistical software. Results About half of the respondents were willing to utilise the VCT services. Willingness to utilise VCT was significantly associated with the respondents' choice of VCT centres, worry about confidentiality at VCT centres, and concern about their partners' being aware of their use of VCT. The expected reactions of their partner, family and community to the use of VCT by the respondents, in addition to the willingness of respondents to inform their partners the result of their HIV test, were other factors associated with the use of VCT. Multivariate regression showed that being "not worried" (AOR 33.48; 95CI 5.63 - 199.15) about confidentiality at VCT centres predicted the willingness to use VCT. In addition, not worried that their partners were aware they had utilised VCT (AOR 7.25; 95CI 1.69- 31.14), and readiness to inform their partners about the result of their HIV test (AOR 14.96; 95CI 3.74- 59.85), predicted the willingness of respondents to utilise VCT. Similarly, the expectation of a happy reaction from partner (AOR 47.02; 95CI 3.83- 577.11) and family (AOR 45.13 95CI 3.28-620.72) on being aware the respondent had used VCT, also predicted willingness to use VCT. Conclusion This study confirmed that stigma related to VCT use and confidentiality at VCT centres influence the utilisation of VCT services. Also, concern about partner's awareness that a respondent had used VCT and the expected response of partner, family, and community, were all important influencing factors to the utilisation of voluntary counseling and HIV testing services. These issues need to be addressed in order to increase VCT uptake among individuals and the community.

This study is concerned with the pre-test counselling conversation (as regulated by policy-governing and training documents) that occurs between HIV counsellors and their clients. It attempts to explore and describe some of the assumptions underlying HIV/AIDS pre-test counselling in South Africa, and reflects on how these assumptions determine the content and process of HIV pre-test counselling. This exploration has been done by means of an analysis of a selection of official and non-official documentation on pre-test counselling. The aim of HIV/AIDS counselling in general is to support and educate infected/affected clients about the HI-virus. Pre-test counselling (the conversation that takes place before an HIV-test is administered) forms the entry level to HIV counselling service delivery in South Africa, and it is often the only opportunity a counsellor has to support and educate a client about HIV/AIDS. Policy-governing pre-test counselling and training documents on such counselling confirm the role played by counsellors. The pre-test counselling conversation is based on the assumption that education about the HI-virus will enable clients to make informed decisions about their health which will help them to live long and healthy lives once they are aware of their HIV-status. However, this educational approach does not seem to be successful, as a change in risk behaviour is often not achieved. My recognition of this situation motivated this study and its focus on the conversation that takes place between counsellors and their clients in pre-test counselling. I was curious about what is discussed during pre-test counselling and why, if we acknowledge that counselling plays a major role in infection rate prevention, risk-reducing behaviour is not being achieved. This qualitative study was based on a social constructionist paradigm and document analysis was used as a research method. This study offers an alternative approach to health education – a drive towards client-centred pre-test counselling where the client’s needs become the focus of the pre-test counselling conversation. / Dissertation (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Psychology / unrestricted

In this study the impact of the UNISA HIV/AIDS training programme on participants' learning and involvement in their respective communities was explored. The UNISA HIV/AIDS programme comprises Modules 1, 2 and 3. Module 1 focuses on orientation and background to HIV/AIDS Care and Counselling, Module 2 on HIV/AIDS counselling skills and Module 3 on train the trainer in HIV/AIDS education and counselling. This study focused only on Modules 1 and 2. Kirkpatrick's model of evaluating education and training programmes was used as a framework to evaluate the programme. Participants for the study consisted of 116 students who attended the UNISA HIV/AIDS Module 2 workshops between December 2005 and December 2006. The study was conducted in two phases, the first phase during the workshops, where participants were asked to indicate both quantitatively and qualitatively how they experienced Module 1 and Module 2 as well as what they learnt in the two modules. The participants' involvement in HIV/AIDS work prior and post Module 2 training as well as the aspects of the programme that are being applied within their work in the community was assessed during the second phase of the study, which took place during 2007. The results of the study indicate that the programme has successfully equipped participants with the necessary HIV/AIDS information and skills. The programme has further empowered participants to engage in HIV/AIDS education and counselling in their communities. Participants' attitudes towards the disease and towards those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS were challenged, resulting in less stigmatization and discrimination. The programme further challenged participants to start adopting health protective behaviours. The present study concludes that for HIV/AIDS programmes to be effective, they need to include, amongst other things, a well-researched basic HIV/AIDS factual information section, a component on attitudes and one on skills (particularly linked to behaviour change). These should be presented in an interactive way, engaging the participants in active learning. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

In this study the impact of the UNISA HIV/AIDS training programme on participants' learning and involvement in their respective communities was explored. The UNISA HIV/AIDS programme comprises Modules 1, 2 and 3. Module 1 focuses on orientation and background to HIV/AIDS Care and Counselling, Module 2 on HIV/AIDS counselling skills and Module 3 on train the trainer in HIV/AIDS education and counselling. This study focused only on Modules 1 and 2. Kirkpatrick's model of evaluating education and training programmes was used as a framework to evaluate the programme. Participants for the study consisted of 116 students who attended the UNISA HIV/AIDS Module 2 workshops between December 2005 and December 2006. The study was conducted in two phases, the first phase during the workshops, where participants were asked to indicate both quantitatively and qualitatively how they experienced Module 1 and Module 2 as well as what they learnt in the two modules. The participants' involvement in HIV/AIDS work prior and post Module 2 training as well as the aspects of the programme that are being applied within their work in the community was assessed during the second phase of the study, which took place during 2007. The results of the study indicate that the programme has successfully equipped participants with the necessary HIV/AIDS information and skills. The programme has further empowered participants to engage in HIV/AIDS education and counselling in their communities. Participants' attitudes towards the disease and towards those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS were challenged, resulting in less stigmatization and discrimination. The programme further challenged participants to start adopting health protective behaviours. The present study concludes that for HIV/AIDS programmes to be effective, they need to include, amongst other things, a well-researched basic HIV/AIDS factual information section, a component on attitudes and one on skills (particularly linked to behaviour change). These should be presented in an interactive way, engaging the participants in active learning. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)