An inquiry into the effect of voluntary counseling and testing on mitigating the spread of HIV and AIDS among high schoolteachers teaching in Mdantsane

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research investigates the effect that VCT (Voluntary Counselling and Testing) has onmitigating the spread of HIV and AIDS among high school teachers teaching in theMdantsane suburb of East London in the Eastern Cape. An overview of studies addressingVCT is outlined in the literature review. The positive impact of VCT on HIV and AIDSinfection is dealt with as well as reasons for the fear participants experience when HIVtesting is addressed.Methods used to collect data have been dealt with. Data collected through questionnairesincludes background information about teachers, their opinions and experiences about VCTwhether they have undergone this service and how do they feel about it. Areas of concernabout VCT e.g. the importance of counsellors, confidentiality, geographical issues thataffect the availability of this service and also how HIV positive teachers relate to those whoare negative, are also dealt with.The analysis of this data shows that VCT is a necessity as this service provides teacherswith relevant information which when obtained earlier can result in one's HIV status beingknown, thus resulting in medical service being made accessible. The importance of moreawareness campaigns about VCT and about conducting more research has proved to benecessary so that teachers know more about this service. Although HIV and AIDS policiesand work programmes are available in our schools, some participants have shown that theseare not known to them, whilst others admit that these policies are available in their schoolsbut that their contents are meaningless to them as nothing is being done about them as theywere not involved in the drawing up of these policies. If VCT is part of the HIV and AIDSpolicy of the Department of Education, knowledge about its importance cannot bemeaningful if these policies do not have economic and social meaning for the teachers. Dueto cultural beliefs, some teachers feel that it is not important for them to be tested for HIVas the result might bring about fears of death and rejection by partners, colleagues as well asfamily members.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University