Community perceptions of repeat HIV-testing: experiences of the ANRS 12249 Treatment as Prevention trial in rural South Africa
type: Article
item type: journalArticle
is part of: AIDS Care
authors: Person
  surname: Orne-Gliemann
  given name: Joanna
authors: Person
  surname: Zuma
  given name: Thembelihle
authors: Person
  surname: Chikovore
  given name: Jeremiah
authors: Person
  surname: Gillespie
  given name: Natasha
authors: Person
  surname: Grant
  given name: Merridy
authors: Person
  surname: Iwuji
  given name: Collins
authors: Person
  surname: Larmarange
  given name: Joseph
authors: Person
  surname: McGrath
  given name: Nuala
authors: Person
  surname: Lert
  given name: France
authors: Person
  surname: Imrie
  given name: John
authors: Person
  surname: Group
  given name: On Behalf of the TasP Study
abstract: In the context of the ANRS 12249 Treatment as Prevention (TasP) trial, we investigated perceptions of regular and repeat HIV-testing in rural KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), an area of very high HIV prevalence and incidence. We conducted two qualitative studies, before (2010) and during the early implementation stages of the trial (2013–2014), to appreciate the evolution in community perceptions of repeat HIV-testing over this period of rapid changes in HIV-testing and treatment approaches. Repeated focus group discussions were organized with young adults, older adults and mixed groups. Repeat and regular HIV-testing was overall well perceived before, and well received during, trial implementation. Yet community members were not able to articulate reasons why people might want to test regularly or repeatedly, apart from individual sexual risk-taking. Repeat home-based HIV-testing was considered as feasible and convenient, and described as more acceptable than clinic-based HIV-testing, mostly because of privacy and confidentiality. However, socially regulated discourses around appropriate sexual behaviour and perceptions of stigma and prejudice regarding HIV and sexual risk-taking were consistently reported. This study suggests several avenues to improve HIV-testing acceptability, including implementing diverse and personalised approaches to HIV-testing and care, and providing opportunities for antiretroviral therapy initiation and care at home.
date: juin 2, 2016
pages: 14-23
citation key: orne-gliemannCommunityPerceptionsRepeat2016
date submitted: 2016-08-17 13:52:28
PMID: 27421048
short title: Community perceptions of repeat HIV-testing
library catalog: Taylor and Francis+NEJM
description: 00002

AIDS Care
type: Journal
volume: 28
number: sup3
identifier: DOI 10.1080/09540121.2016.1164805
identifier: ISSN 0954-0121