Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2010 Jun;14(3):708-15.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-009-9592-4. Epub 2009 Jul 22.

Patterns of self-reported behaviour change associated with receiving voluntary counselling and testing in a longitudinal study from Manicaland, Zimbabwe

Ide Cremin  1 , Constance Nyamukapa, Lorraine Sherr, Timothy B Hallett, Godwin Chawira, Simon Cauchemez, Ben Lopman, Geoffrey P Garnett, Simon Gregson
Affiliations

Patterns of self-reported behaviour change associated with receiving voluntary counselling and testing in a longitudinal study from Manicaland, Zimbabwe

Ide Cremin et al. AIDS Behav. 2010 Jun.

Abstract

Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) is promoted as a potential HIV prevention measure. We describe trends in uptake of VCT for HIV, and patterns of subsequent behaviour change associated with receiving VCT in a population-based open cohort in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. The relationship between receipt of VCT and subsequent reported behaviour was analysed using generalized linear models with random effects. At the third survey, 8.6% of participants (1,079/12,533), had previously received VCT. Women who received VCT, both those positive and negative, reduced their reported number of new partners. Among those testing positive, this risk reduction was enhanced with time since testing. Among men, no behavioural risk reduction associated with VCT was observed. Significant increases in consistent condom use, with regular or non-regular partners, following VCT, were not observed. This study suggests that, among women, particularly those who are infected, behavioural risk reduction does occur following VCT.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Previous uptake of testing and results collection reported by individuals at each survey round (N = 17,874). In earlier study rounds (1998–2000 and 2001–2003) those who reported to have tested may include those who were tested for medical purposes but did not receive their results
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Relative change in the number of new partners in the last year, following VCT. The results in the above figure are based on comparing those who received VCT to those who did not receive VCT. Thus, this figure illustrates the additional reduction in mean number of new partners in the last year associated with receiving VCT. The 0% indicates no change. Results are adjusted for age (5 year categories), calendar year and marital status. The relative change is calculated as: Exp(Coef.) − 1
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The effect of VCT on behaviour in relation to time since testing. The results are based on comparing those who received VCT to those who did not receive VCT. Thus, these figures illustrate the additional change in behaviour associated with receiving VCT. Results are adjusted for age (5 years categories) and sex. a Bar/beer hall attendance. b New sexual partner in the past year. c Sexual partner in the past month. d Multiple concurrent partners
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. De Cock KM, Marum E, Mbori-Ngacha D. A serostatus-based approach to HIV/AIDS prevention and care in Africa. Lancet. 2003;362(9398):1847–1849. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14906-9. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Hallett TB, Dube S, Cremin I, Lopman B, Mahomva A, Ncube G, et al. The role of testing and counselling for HIV prevention and care in the era of scaling-up antiretroviral therapy. Epidemics. 2009 (In press). - PubMed
    1. WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF. Towards universal access: scaling up priority HIV/AIDS interventions in the health sector. Progress Report; April 2007.
    1. UNAIDS, WHO. Guidance on provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling in health facilities; May 2007.
    1. Steen TW, Seipone K, Gomez Fde L, Anderson MG, Kejelepula M, Keapoletswe K, et al. Two and a half years of routine HIV testing in Botswana. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2007;44(4):484–488. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0b013e318030ffa9. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types