Couple counselling and testing for HIV at antenatal clinics: Views from men, women and counsellors

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gain insight from views of Tanzanian men and women on couple voluntary counselling and testing (CVCT) for HIV at antenatal clinics (ANC) in Tanzania. Data collection was through focus group discussions with women aged 25–48 years (n=8), women 18–24 years (n=10), HIV counsellors (n=11), men aged 20–34 (n=8) and men aged 35–75 years (n=8) and in-depth interviews (IDI) with five men and eight women. Participants were asked their views concerning men volunteering for CVCT for HIV, motivation of couples to receive results together and effective ways of counselling sero-discordant couples. Many participants agreed on the importance of incorporating CVCT at ANC, while others expressed reservations due to the cultural belief that ANC is for women. The importance of love, care and respect between sero-discordant couples was stressed; nonetheless, many anticipated that disclosure of HIV-positive status to an HIV-negative spouse could result in abandonment, divorce or violence against the woman whether she was sero-negative or -positive. Couple counselling and testing at ANC incorporating the suggestions made by study participants could become an important intervention for the prevention of HIV transmission and maintenance of good relations between sero-discordant partners.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Johns Hopkins University (Johns Hopkins University Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)-Grant #P30 AI42855) and Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences for funding this project. We also thank Dr Gaynor Maclean and Dr Jeanne Raisler for reading an earlier draft and providing their suggestions. Last but not least we thank Mr. Tumaini Nyamhanga for being an observer and recorder during the focus group discussions.