Perceptions and views of men regarding HIV Testing Services: the case of Hammanskraal, Stinkwater in Tshwane District Municipality, Gauteng Province

Date
2021
Authors
Molefe, Jeanette Boitumelo
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Abstract
In 2017 a projected 36.9 million individuals globally were living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), including 1.8 million children, – with a global HIV prevalence of 0.8% among adults, however, 25% of these same people are unaware of their HIV status (UNAIDS, 2018). It has been recognised that internationally and in sub-Saharan Africa, men as opposed to women tend to delay HIV testing, treatment and care and subsequently anti-retroviral therapy. The primary purpose of the study was to explore men’s perceptions and views of HIV testing services within Hamanskraal. The study was exploratory-descriptive in design, with an application of a qualitative research approach. A case study was used as a research design. The main research target population were men aged between 18 and 49 years, who are residing in Hammanskraal, Stinkwater in South Africa’s Gauteng province. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 10 participants from Stinkwater. The research tool was an interview schedule administered through face-to-face semi-structured individual interviews. Responses were analysed using thematic analysis. The main findings of the study were that stigma continues to be documented as a major hindrance to men’s HIV-related health behaviours. Enablers, such as access to treatment were mentioned. In addition, factors that influenced HIV testing such as personal belief systems, health care system, as well as environmental were highlighted. The study might contribute to the development of strategies and guidelines for programmatic interventions aiming at addressing the hindrance related to men’s access to HIV testing services in Hamanskraal. Recommendations are made in relation to programmatic interventions and future research
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A report on a research study presented to the Department of Social Work, School of Human and Community Development, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in the field of Social Development, 2021
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