title: Interruptions in payments for lay counsellors affects HIV testing at antenatal clinics in Johannesburg.
abstract: HIV testing uptake at 3 antenatal clinics in Johannesburg was 53% (1 333/2 502) during 4 months when lay counsellors were unpaid, which was lower than the 7 months when payment was provided (79%; 3 705/4 722; p<0.001), and a subsequent 12-month period (86%, 11 877/13 767; p<0.001) when counsellors were paid. Consistent remuneration of lay counsellors could markedly improve services for preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission.
authors.affiliation: WITS Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. vblack@rhru.co.za
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: Courtenay
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sprague
authors.forename: Matthew F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Chersich
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D013019:South Africa