Attitudes toward couples-based HIV counseling and testing among MSM in Cape Town, South Africa

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Robert Stephenson, Emory University; Christopher Rentsch, Emory University; Patrick S Sullivan, Emory University; Ayesha McAdams-Mahmoud, Emory University; Geoff Jobson, Anova Health Institute; Helen Struthers, Anova Health Institute; James McIntyre, Anova Health Institute
• Language: English
• Date: 2013-05
• Publisher: Springer Verlag (Germany)
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2012, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
• Final Published Version (URL): http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10461-012-0293-z
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: AIDS and Behavior
• ISSN: 1090-7165
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 0 1
• Start Page: 43
• End Page: 50
• Keywords: MSM; HIV testing; Couples; CVCT
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Epidemiology

Abstract

Couples-based voluntary HIV counseling and testing (CVCT) allows couples to receive their HIV test results together and has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing HIV transmission, increasing and sustaining condom use, and reducing sexual risk-taking among at-risk heterosexual couples. However, the acceptability of CVCT among MSM has yet to be evaluated in an African setting. The results from seven focus group discussions and twenty-nine in-depth interviews conducted in Cape Town, South Africa exhibit overwhelmingly high acceptance of CVCT. Participants were attracted to the counseling components of the service, stating that these would allow for the couple to increase their commitment and to explore methods of how to effectively reduce their risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV in the presence of a trained counselor. These results suggest CVCT would be highly welcomed and could work to fill the significant lack of services available and accessible to MSM couples in Cape Town.