Acceptance of repeat worksite HIV voluntary counselling and testing in a rural South African factory

Abstract

In response to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic, many employers in sub-Saharan Africa have introduced voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV. To assess the factors that predict repeat VCT attendance at 12-month follow-up we analysed data from a nurse-administered questionnaire that was distributed to factory workers in a rural South African factory. Employees were offered VCT for HIV in 2009 and again 12 months later. Odds ratios examined factors associated with attendance at follow-up. Totally, 2138 employees accepted VCT at initial assessment and 406 attended at follow-up. After controlling for socio-demographic factors (age, gender, marital status and education), elevated blood glucose was associated with increased likelihood of attendance at follow-up; positive HIV status was a key risk factor for non-attendance at follow-up. This study underscores the importance of determining those groups at risk of non-attendance at employer-provided repeat VCT clinics; differences between employee groups might usefully inform targeted promotional activities to encourage attendance.

Keywords:

• employee
• health promotion
• HIV
• voluntary counselling and testing
• workplace