Perceptions of couple HIV counseling and testing in Botswana: a stakeholder analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To explore stakeholder's perceptions of Couples HIV Counseling and Testing (CHCT) as opposed to individual testing and potential couples' preferences for CHCT promotion and service provision.


METHODS
Study was conducted as formative research for a phase III clinical trial of Herpes (HSV-2) suppression to prevent HIV transmission among HIV discordant couples. We used non-probability purposive sampling and snowballing techniques to identify study participants. Data were collected using key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Systematic textual data analysis was used. Two independent coders coded and compared their codes for agreement. Data was categorized by emerging themes.


RESULTS
The general themes from both key informant interviews and focus group discussions were a preference for CHCT as opposed to individual counseling in HIV prevention and the need for a client-centered approach to promotion and provision of couple HIV testing services.


CONCLUSIONS
CHCT is important in HIV prevention and should be integrated in existing HIV testing programs. The study also demonstrates the challenges of HIV status disclosure and discordance among sexual partners who test as individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
Current low HIV status disclosure rates imply that reducing HIV incidence rates will require integrating CHCT into current testing programs. Increasing CHCT uptake however, requires improving access, training providers and addressing social, cultural, political and logistical barriers.
Kebaabetswe
Poloko
P
Botswana-Harvard School of Public Health AIDS Initiative Partnership for HIV Research and Education, USA.
Ndase
Patrick
P
Mujugira
Andrew
A
Sekoto
Tumalano
T
Ntshimane
Malebogo
M
Owor
Anchilla
A
Makhema
Joseph
J
Thior
Ibou
I
Essex
Max
M
D001902:Botswana; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1; D006558:Herpes Genitalis; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012938:Social Perception; D014342:Truth Disclosure