The intervention of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) for the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is rapidly gaining ground as an essential
component in the health care system in an effort to combat and confront the
spread of this disease. In South Africa where this intervention is gradually
being introduced the application of VCT and the benefits and consequences
likely to ensue from the application of the procedure were evaluated in-depth
using a grounded theory and quantitative approach to describe the
psychosocial dynamics. The interactive transfer of information embodied in
VCT forms an integral part of the intervention and will continue to do so even
when antiretroviral dnugs are uniformly available throughout the South African
healthcare service. The way in which the women who will undergo this
procedure internalise and respond to the information imparted to them during
the counselling is highly significant from an educational and empowering
perspective, regardless of the outcome of the test result. The aim of the
counselling is primarily to promote a rising consciousness amongst patients
and subsequently within their communities in an endeavour to move away
from what is termed 'exceptionalism' and towards 'normalisation' of the
treatment of HIV/AIDS. Communicating the facts about HIV will help to dispel
the myths and stigma which still surround the disease. A convenience sample
of one hundred and twelve women were interviewed whilst attending antenatal
clinics at four different sites in KwaZulu-Natal. In addition a small cross-sectional
sample of service providers and key informants in communities
situated near to the chosen sites were interviewed to explore the perceptions
of VCT and HIV in the current health service and community environment. The
findings revealed that there is to date no mandatory policy which offers VCT
routinely at any of the health centres primarily due to the cost of testing, lack of
posts for trained counsellors and timeous laboratory facilities. Confusion
amongst health personnel regarding current policies of treatment regimens for
HIV/AIDS patients, as well as differing opinions about feeding options for
infants, can undermine counsellors' confidence to handle complex issues
competently from an informed position. Recommendations are that trained
counsellor posts with opportunities for updating of current policies, easily
accessible laboratory facilities and suitable space for confidential counselling
(both oral and visual) be implemented as a priority in the health service. A
more comprehensive service should be universally implemented, not just in
antenatal and communicable disease clinics for ethical reasons of equity
between all members of society. In the same vein the networking and
cumulative energy of NGOs, religious groups and health professionals must be
harnessed to work synergistically to provide sustainable solutions for those
living with HIV and those at risk of becoming infected. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/5893 |
| Date | January 2001 |
| Creators | Ross, Margaret Helen. |
| Contributors | Brown, David. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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