"You must do the test to know your status": attitudes to HIV voluntary counseling and testing for adolescents among South African youth and parents.
Reduced HIV risk behavior and increased use of care and support services have been demonstrated among adults accessing HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT). The impact of VCT on adolescents is, however, not known. Focus group discussions were held with adolescents and parents in two South African townships to establish the perceptions of and needs for VCT among young people. Ecological theory informed the analysis. Adolescents had limited experience of VCT, were afraid of knowing their HIV status, and felt that testing was only for symptomatic individuals. Youth felt that they would disclose their HIV status to family members who they felt would be most supportive. Youth were afraid of stigma and discrimination; rarely referring to the community as a source of support. Discussions highlighted the inappropriateness of clinical facilities for youth VCT. We conclude with recommendations for youth-friendly VCT services.
MacPhail
Catherine Lorne
CL
Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Pettifor
Audrey
A
Coates
Tom
T
Rees
Helen
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003376:Counseling; D003469:Culture; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012944:Social Support; D013019:South Africa