title: Patterns of self-reported behaviour change associated with receiving voluntary counselling and testing in a longitudinal study from Manicaland, Zimbabwe.
abstract: Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) is promoted as a potential HIV prevention measure. We describe trends in uptake of VCT for HIV, and patterns of subsequent behaviour change associated with receiving VCT in a population-based open cohort in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. The relationship between receipt of VCT and subsequent reported behaviour was analysed using generalized linear models with random effects. At the third survey, 8.6% of participants (1,079/12,533), had previously received VCT. Women who received VCT, both those positive and negative, reduced their reported number of new partners. Among those testing positive, this risk reduction was enhanced with time since testing. Among men, no behavioural risk reduction associated with VCT was observed. Significant increases in consistent condom use, with regular or non-regular partners, following VCT, were not observed. This study suggests that, among women, particularly those who are infected, behavioural risk reduction does occur following VCT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, St. Marys Campus, Norfolk Place, Paddington, London, W2 1PG, UK. ide.cremin05@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Ide
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cremin
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nyamukapa
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sherr
authors.forename: Timothy B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Hallett
authors.forename: Godwin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chawira
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cauchemez
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lopman
authors.forename: Geoffrey P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Garnett
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gregson
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult; D015030:Zimbabwe