Health workers' participation in voluntary counselling and testing in three districts of Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the proportion of health workers who had undergone VCT for HIV in three districts of Mashonaland East Province and to further explore reasons for non-participation in those who had not been tested.


METHODS
The study was conducted in the rural Districts of Murewa, Mutoko and Mudzi in Mashonaland East province.


METHODS
The study was a descriptive cross sectional survey.


METHODS
All categories of health workers in Murewa, Mutoko and Mudzi.


METHODS
Participation in VCT, and reason for non-participation.


RESULTS
Out of 200 questionnaires sent out 183 (91.5%) were completed and returned. The majority of the respondents were nurses 142 (77.6%), female 113 (61.7%), married 135 (73.8%). The median age was 33 (Q1; 28: Q3; 38) and they had attained a high school education 137 (74.9%). Of the respondents 160 (87.4%) had not gone for VCT; 141 (77%) did not want to have an HIV test. The reasons for not being willing to have an HIV test included not being ready to go for VCT 154 (84.2%); could not cope with the results, 143 (78.1%), do not have the courage to go 133 (72.7%); no need for testing as there is no cure for HIV/AIDS 106 (57.9%). One hundred and twenty six (69%) indicated that they needed counselling for them to be able to go for VCT.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV/AIDS programmes have been directed at the community at large neglecting the health worker. This study, therefore, recommends programmes specifically tailor-made for health workers. These programmes should have a strong counselling component and should focus on self-efficacy so that health workers can finally be ready, be able to cope with HIV results and have the courage to participate in VCT.
Tarwireyi
F
F
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe.
Majoko
F
F
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology