Perceptions and attitudes of HIV-positive patients towards HIV index testing in Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

Abstract

HIV testing, treatment and prevention approaches are implemented to ensure that all people are tested and know their HIV status, but approximately 36,9 million people are living with HIV without being aware. Globally, current HTS approaches were not doing enough. UNAIDS 90-90-90 strategy was adopted in South Africa to control the HIV pandemic and to end HIV and AIDS by 2030, 90% of people living with HIV should know their status, and 90% of those diagnosed with HIV positive status would be initiated on treatment, while the viral of the 90% receiving treatment would be suppressed. Index testing might be one of the most effective interventions for managing the HIV epidemic worldwide by increasing the uptake of HIV testing among index contacts, key populations, and the community at large. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions and attitudes of HIV-positive patients on index testing in the Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District, Limpopo province. The study adopted an exploratory-descriptive design embedded within the qualitative research approach. The study population comprised all HIV-positive patients on treatment and newly diagnosed people living with HIV who attended HIV and testing services at William Eaddie Community Health Centre. Convenience sampling was used to select twenty (20) participants who were above the age of 18 years old. Individual semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Voice recorder and field notes were used. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University of Venda, the head of the Department of Health and a letter for permission to conduct the study at William Eaddie Community Health Centre and the code of ethics to protect the rights of participants were applied. The findings revealed that nurses lacked knowledge about HIV index texting; consequently, they cannot counsel patients living with HIV. It is recommended that nurses should undergo training in HIV testing and how to counsel people living with HIV. From this study, people living with HIV’ perceptions and attitudes towards HIV index testing are linked to their inadequate knowledge of it.