Asignment (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research paper looks at the role of VCT (Voluntary Counselling and Testing) services in
the prevention of HIV – a growing trend throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. The benefits of
VCT on the HIV positive segment of the population are clear, i.e. psychosocial support,
access to further resources etc. However, the impact of VCT services on the HIV negative
segment of society, as a preventive tool, has not been closely studied.
Many organizations are implementing HIV workplace programmes but not emphasising
voluntary counselling and testing services, often due to the often high cost of these services
and the fact that employees miss out on work time in order to be tested. Organizations need
to strive to ensure that their HIV positive employees remain healthy enough to work and also
that their HIV negative employees remain negative.
Behaviour change is at the root of HIV prevention. How to bring about behaviour change,
however, still remains a major stumbling block to HIV prevention. This is especially true
when looking at the multi-cultural environment in Sub-Saharan Africa.
This study was conducted in Swakopmund, Namibia. Data was gathered on individuals
voluntarily making use of VCT services. The study focuses on 221 clients who have attended
VCT services, tested negative on their initial visit and returned after a three month period for
further counselling and testing. Data gathered includes background information, high risk
activities, and was gathered during both visits. Information gathered during both visits was
then compared and analysed.
An analysis of the data has shown that indeed VCT services can produce behaviour change
and therefore reduce risk to HIV. Clients returning to the VCT centre for further counselling
and testing showed a decrease in high risk activities such as unprotected sex, sex while
intoxicated and number of sexual partners. This may help to reshape how we think about
VCT and to assist in further integrating VCT services into successful HIV/AIDS management
programmes.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing behandel die rol van V.C.T ( Voluntary Counselling and Testing ) – dienste
vir die voorkoming van MIV/ VIGS – wat merkbare groei in Sub-Sahara-Afrika toon. Die
voordele wat V.C.T vir die MIV – positiewe deel van die bevolking inhou spreek vanself nl.
sielkundige hulp, die toegang tot ander hulpbronne ens. Maal hul effek op die MIV negatiewe
deel van die gemeenskap is tot hede nog nie van naderby gebestudeer nie.
Vele organisasies is tans besig om MIV programme by werkplekke te implimenteer, maar
beklemtoon ongelukkig nie vrywillige raadgewing, -voorligting en, -toetsing genoeg nie.
Dikwels is dit toe te skryf an die hoë koste, en ook dat werknemers tyd by hulle werk sou
verloor om getoets te kan word. Werkgewers behoort te poog dat MIV-positiewe werknemers
gesond genoeg bly om werk te kan verrig, en dat MIV- negatiewe werknemers negatief bly.
Van die belangrikste aspekte vir MIV-voorkoming en bekamping is gedragspatrone en
lewenswyse wat noodwendig sal moet verander. Om hierdie verandering te hulp bewerkstellig
is en bly steeds ń groot probleem. Dit geld veral vir die multikulturele bevolking van Suid-
Sahara-Afrika.
Hierdie studie is in Swakopmund, Namibia gedoen. Data is by individue wat vrywillig van
V.C.T.- dienste gebruik maak het, verkry. Die studie fokus op 221 kliente wat hierdie dienste
bygewoon het, negatief getoets is met die eerste besoek, en dan na drie maande teruggekeer
het vir verdere berading en toetsing. Die data sluit al die kliente se agtergrond inligting, hoë
risiko aktiwiteite, en is ingewin by beide besoeke. Die twee stelle inligting is dan vergelyk en
geanaliseer.
Analise van die data toon dat V.C.T-dienste inderdaad gedragsveranderinge tot vevolg kan he
en derhalwe die gevaar van MIV kan verminder. Kliente wat opvolgsbesoeke an die V.C.Tsentrum
gebring het, het na voorligting en toetse ń afname in hoë risiko bedrywighede.
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