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Abstract
Using lay counsellors to promote community-based voluntary counselling and HIV testing in rural northern Ghana: a baseline survey to assess acceptance and stigma
F. Baiden1, G. Akanlu1, D. Cornelius1, A. Hodgson1, F. Binka2
Background: Access to voluntary counselling and HIV testing remains limited in most parts of Ghana with rural populations being the least served. Services remain facility-based and employ the use of an ever-dwindling number of health workers as counsellors.
Objectives: We assessed approval for the use of lay counsellors to promote community-based voluntary counselling and testing (CBVCT) for HIV and the extent of HIV/AIDS-related stigma in the Kassena-Nankana district of rural northern Ghana.
Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted. We used logistic regression to identify predictors of the tendency to stigmatize people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). We held Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and did analytical coding of the data.
Results: Majority (91.1%) of the 403 respondents indicated a desire to know their HIV status. Most (88.1%) of respondents considered locations outside of the health facility as preferred places for VCT. Majority (98.7%) of respondents approved the use lay of counselors. About a quarter (24%) of respondents believed that it was possible to acquire HIV through sharing a drinking cup with a PLWHA. About half (52.1%) of the respondents considered that a teacher with HIV/AIDS should not be allowed to teach while 77.2% would not buy vegetables from a PLWHA. Respondents who believed that sharing a drinking cup with a PLWHA could transmit HIV infection (OR-2.50 95%C.I. 1.52-4.11) and respondents without formal education (OR-2.94, 95%C.I. 1.38-6.27) were more likely to stigmatize PLWHAs. In contrast, respondents with knowledge of the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs were less likely to do so (OR- 0.40, 95%C.I. 0.22-0.73). Findings from the 13 FGDs reinforced approval for CBVCT and lay counselors but revealed concerns about stigma and confidentiality.
Conclusions: Availability of ARVs may cause reduction in HIV-AIDS related stigma. Community-based VCT and the use of lay counselors may be acceptable options for promoting access.
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
CDD1507
Suggested Citation
"F.Baiden, et al.
Using lay counsellors to promote community-based voluntary counselling and HIV testing in rural northern Ghana: a baseline survey to assess acceptance and stigma.
:
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
CDD1507"
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