Browsing by Author "van Rooyen, Heidi"

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    “If you are circumcised, you are the best”: understandings and perceptions of voluntary medical male circumcision among men from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
    (2015) Humphries, Hilton; van Rooyen, Heidi; Knight, Lucia; Barnabas, Ruane; Celum, Connie
    While the uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) is increasing, South Africa has only attained 20% of its target to circumcise 80% of adult men by 2015. Understanding the factors influencing uptake is essential to meeting these targets. This qualitative study reports on findings from focus-group discussions with men in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, about what factors influence their perceptions of VMMC. The study found that VMMC is linked to perceptions of masculinity and male gender identity including sexual health, sexual performance and pleasure, possible risk compensation and self-identity. Findings highlight the need to understand how these perceptions of sexual health and performance affect men’s decisions to undergo circumcision and the implications for uptake of VMMC. The study also highlights the need for individualised and contextualised information and counselling that can identify, understand and address the perceptions men have of VMMC, and the impacts they believe it will have on them.
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    Quality of HIV counselling in South Africa
    (Kamla-Raj, 2015) Mohlabane, Neo; Peltzer, Karl; Mwisongo, Aziza; Ntsepe, Yoliswa; Tutshana, Bomkazi; van Rooyen, Heidi; Knight, Lucia
    HIV counselling and testing (HCT) has become increasingly available in South Africa since the 1990s. Over 4500 public health facilities offer client and provider-initiated HIV counselling and testing. Counselling and testing remain key components of HIV/AIDS prevention as they provide an entry point into prevention, care, treatment and support services. This paper examines the quality of HIV counselling in government and non-governmental (NGO) facilities and reviews adherence to the HCT policy guidelines during counselling sessions in 67 HIV counselling and testing (HCT) sites across 8 South African provinces.The assessment used both quantitative and qualitative methods. In total 149 structured observations of counselling sessions were conducted using a written checklist and audio recording. This assessment confirms that while counselling does occur prior and post HIV testing, the quality of counselling differs between sites and does not match the South African HCT policy guidelines. The following key aspects were not adequately discussed with clients: risk assessment and reduction, partner involvement, supportive care and treatment for those testing HIV positive. Confidentiality was also compromised by frequent interruptions during some sessions. The assessment indicated that ongoing training and mentoring of counsellors needs to be addressed, to make the HCT programme more effective.