Motivators of couple HIV counseling and testing (CHCT) uptake in a rural setting in Uganda
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC public health
Abstract
Couple HIV Counseling and Testing (CHCT) is one of the key preventive strategies used to reduce the
spread of HIV. In Uganda, HIV prevalence among married/living together is 7.2% among women and 7.6% among
men. CHCT can help ease disclosure of HIV-positive status, which in turn may help increase opportunities to get
social support and reduce new infections. The uptake of CHCT among attendees of health facilities in rural Uganda
is as high as 34%. The purpose of this study was to explore the motivators of CHCT uptake in Mukono district, a
rural setting in Uganda. Methods: The study was conducted in two sub-counties in a rural district (Mukono district) about 28 km east of the capital Kampala, using a descriptive and explorative qualitative research design. Specifically, we conducted
focus group discussions and key informant interviews with HIV focal persons, village health team (VHT) members,
religious leaders and political leaders. We also interviewed persons in couple relationships. Data was analysed using
NVivo 8 software. Ethical clearance was received from the Mengo Hospital Research Review Board and from the
Uganda National Council of Science and Technology.
Results: The study was conducted from June 2013 to July 2013 We conducted 4 focus group discussions, 10 key
informant interviews and interviewed 53 persons in couple relationships. None of the participants were a couple.
The women were 68% (36/53) and 49% (26/53) of them were above 29 years old. The motivators of CHCT uptake
were; perceived benefit of HIV testing, sickness of a partner or child in the family and suspicion of infidelity. Other
important motivators were men involvement in antenatal care (ANC) attendance and preparation for marriage.
Conclusion: The motivators for CHCT uptake included the perceived benefit of HIV testing, sickness of a partner or
child, preparation for marriage, lack of trust among couples and men involvement in antenatal care. Greater
attention to enhancers of CHCT programming is needed in trying to strengthen its uptake
Description
Keywords
Couple HIV counseling and testing, Motivate, Uptake
Citation
Nannozi, V., Wobudeya, E., Matsiko, N., & Gahagan, J. (2017). Motivators of couple HIV counseling and testing (CHCT) uptake in a rural setting in Uganda. BMC public health, 17(1), 1-6. DOI 10.1186/s12889-017-4043-z