TITLE:
Assessing the Acceptability and Willingness to Use HIV Self-Testing among Student Nurses in a Private Nursing College, Gauteng Province, South Africa
AUTHORS:
Sphiwe Madiba, Molly Segobola, Mathildah Mokgatle
KEYWORDS:
HIV Self-Testing, Nurses, Acceptability, South Africa, Health Care Workers
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of AIDS,
Vol.5 No.3,
September
11,
2015
ABSTRACT: Globally, there is increasing evidence that
HIV self-testing (HIVST) is commonly practiced among health care workers
(HCWs). Although HIVST kits are available in South Africa, their distribution
and use remain unregulated and its acceptability, undocumented. The aim of the
study was to explore the acceptability of HIV self-testing among student
nurses, examine their willingness to use self-testing, and evaluate their views
on the implementation of a regulated HIV self-testing programme. This was a
qualitative explorative study, and six focus group discussions were conducted
with 67 student nurses recruited from a private nursing college, in Pretoria,
South Africa. Thematic analysis and NVivo10 qualitative software were used for
data analysis. The nurses perceived HIVST as an acceptable option for HIV
testing and most were willing to self-test. Self-testing will provide
confidential and accessible HIV testing services, reduce the stigma associated
with the condition, and increase partner testing and disclosure. HIVST is more
likely to be practised if self-testing kits are easily accessible and
affordable, and there are strategies to educate people before the adoption of
HIVST. The lack of pre- and post-test counselling, the risk of inaccurate test
results, and lack of strategies for the confirmation of self-testing results
were the main arguments against HIVST. The high acceptance of HIVST among
nurses suggests that HIVST is a feasible option to increase the uptake of
HIV-testing among HCWs. However, pre- and post-test counselling should be
considered important components in the implementation of self-testing services.
Educational and awareness campaigns should precede the roll-out of the
self-testing programs.