A study conducted by the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 34 African communities has revealed that men are more willing to get tested in their communities rather than going to health centres.
Report by Feluna Nleya
This was the first community-randomised trial to test a combination of social, behavioural and structural interventions for HIV prevention and to assess the impact of an integrated strategy at community level.
In Zimbabwe, the study was conducted in Mutoko.
“Many HIV prevention programmes, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, have reported difficulty in reaching men,” said Alfred Chingono the local principal investigator.”
“However, the study results showed a 45% increase in HIV testing among men and a 15% increase in HIV testing among women residing in the intervention communities compared to men and women residing in the control communities, thereby demonstrating that it is possible to effectively engage men in community-based HIV testing programmes.”
The four major interventions of the study were designed to increase access to voluntary counselling and testing and post-test services. It also highlights the benefit of knowing one’s HIV status and increase the safety of testing.
“These study results clearly demonstrate that high rates of testing can be achieved by going into communities and that this strategy can result in increased HIV detection,” said Chingono.
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“The thrust should not only be on creating awareness and demand for HIV testing and counseling services, but also on bringing these services to the different segments of our population and then ensuring that those tested are successfully linked to needed post-test services”, he added.
