Fear of Stigmatization as Barrier To Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing In South Africa

ABSTRACT

Objective: The objective of this qualitative study was to identify psychosocial correlates of HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT); with an emphasis on the association between fear of AIDS-related stigma and willingness to have an HIV test. Methods: The study was executed in Limpopo Province at University of Limpopo; Polokwane; South Africa. Focus group interviews were held among 72 students; divided over 10 groups. Results: Results showed that participants had different levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and VCT; and that AIDS was still strongly associated with 'death'. Results further demonstrate that HIV/ AIDS related stigma is still a very serious problem in South Africa. Lack of HIV/ AIDS related knowledge; blaming persons with HIV/AIDS for their infection; and the life-threatening character of the disease were seen as the most important determinants of AIDS-related stigma. The main benefit to go for VCT was 'knowing your HIV status'; whereas main barriers for testing were 'fear of being stigmatised' and `fear of knowing your HIV positive status'. Conclusion: Fear of stigmatization is an important barrier to HIV testing and has negative consequences for AIDS prevention and treatment. Interventions to reduce HIV-related stigma are needed in order to foster voluntary HIV counselling and testing in South Africa