Health workers’ participation in voluntary counselling and testing in three districts of Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the proportion of health workers who had undergone VC'T for HIV' in three districts of Mashonaland East Province and to further explore reasons for non-participation in those who had not been tested. Settings: The study was conducted in the rural Districts of Murewa. Mutoko and Mudzi in Mashonaland East province. Design: The study was a descriptive cross sectional survey. Subjects: All categories of health workers in Murewa. Mutoko and Mudzi. Main Outcome Measures: Participation in VCT, and reason for non-participation. Results: Out of 200 questionnaires sent out 183 (91.5%) were completed and returned. The majority of the respondents were nurses 142(77.6% ), female 113 (61.7%), married 135 (73.8% )The median age was 33 (Q1: 28: Q3: 38) and they had attained a high school education 137 (74.9%). Of the respondents 160 (87.4% ) had not gone for VCT; 141 (77%) did not want to have an HIV test. The reasons for not being willing to have an HIV test included not being ready to go for VCT 154 (84.2%); could not cope with the results, 143 (78.1%), do not have the courage to go 133 (72.7%): no need for testing as there is no cure for HIV/AIDS J 06 (57.9%). One hundred and twenty six (69%) indicated that they needed counseling for them to be able to go for VCT. Conclusion: HIV/AIDS programmes have been directed at the community at large neglecting the health worker. This study, therefore, recommends programmes specifically tailor-made for health workers. These programmes should have a strong counselling component and should focus on self-efficacy so that health workers can finally be ready, be able to cope with HIV results and have the courage to participate in VCT .