Knowledge of clients regarding voluntary counseling and testing at Mankweng primary health care facilities at Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is regarded as a major strategy for the prevention of HIV infection. Knowledge of one’s HIV status, whether it is positive or negative, is instrumental in effecting behaviour change and adopting safer sex practices. Depending on the results of VCT, people usually take steps to avoid becoming infected or infecting others. The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge of clients regarding VCT at Mankweng Primary Health Care facilities, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Quantitative descriptive design was used. The study was conducted at four clinics namely, Evelyn Lekganyane, Makanye, Mankweng and Nobody. A self-administered, structured questionnaire was used to collect data from clients aged 17-49 years old who visited the clinics. Systematic sampling was used where every third client on the queue at the clinic was selected until a sample of 200 was reached. Fifty clients were drawn from each of the four clinics. The study revealed that the clients who attended the four clinics in Mankweng lacked knowledge regarding VCT, the prevention of HIV infection and support systems to HIV positive people. There should be effective utilization of the VCT programme in all Primary health care facilities. Regular HIV awareness campaigns and education of the community should be conducted in line with the HIV health calendar days of the Department of Health.

Keywords: Voluntary counseling and testing, HIV and AIDS, knowledge.