Promotion of couples' voluntary counseling and testing for HIV through influential networks in two African capital cities
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Joseph Telfair, Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Abstract: Background: Most new HIV infections in Africa are acquired from cohabiting heterosexual partners. Couples'
Voluntary Counselling and Testing (CVCT) is an effective prevention strategy for this group. We present our experience
with a community-based program for the promotion of CVCT in Kigali, Rwanda and Lusaka, Zambia.
Methods: Influence Network Agents (INAs) from the health, religious, non-governmental, and private sectors were
trained to invite couples for CVCT. Predictors of successful promotion were identified using a multi-level hierarchical
analysis.
Results: In 4 months, 9,900 invitations were distributed by 61 INAs, with 1,411 (14.3%) couples requesting CVCT. INAs
in Rwanda distributed fewer invitations (2,680 vs. 7,220) and had higher response rates (26.9% vs. 9.6%), than INAs in
Zambia. Context of the invitation event, including a discreet location such as the INA's home (OR 3.3–3.4), delivery of
the invitation to both partners in the couple (OR 1.6–1.7) or to someone known to the INA (OR 1.7–1.8), and use of
public endorsement (OR 1.7–1.8) were stronger predictors of success than INA or couple-level characteristics.
Conclusion: Predictors of successful CVCT promotion included strategies that can be easily implemented in Africa. As
new resources become available for Africans with HIV, CVCT should be broadly implemented as a point of entry for
prevention, care and support.
Promotion of couples' voluntary counseling and testing for HIV through influential networks in two African capital cities
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Language: English
- Date: 2007
- Keywords
- couples counseling, HIV, HIV testing, Africa, couples voluntary counseling and testing, community based programs