Community Views on HIV Testing and Treatment in Botswana
Author Information
Author(s): Cockcroft Anne, Andersson Neil, Milne Deborah, Mokoena Thamie, Masisi Mokgweetsi
Primary Institution: CIET Trust
Hypothesis
How has the introduction of routine HIV testing and antiretroviral treatment affected public perception and testing rates in Botswana?
Conclusion
Public awareness and approval of routine HIV testing is very high, contributing to increased HIV testing rates, but further efforts are needed to reduce new infections.
Supporting Evidence
- 81% of respondents visited a government clinic in the last 24 months.
- 94% of respondents were in favor of routine HIV testing.
- 55% of the sample had been tested for HIV in the last 12 months.
- Women were more likely to have been tested for HIV than men.
- Nearly all respondents believed ART could help people with AIDS.
Takeaway
Most people in Botswana know about HIV testing and think it's a good idea, which has helped many get tested for HIV.
Methodology
A household survey was conducted with 1536 people across Botswana, supplemented by focus group discussions.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to lower representation of employed individuals and those absent during the survey.
Limitations
The study may not fully represent the views of employed individuals, and a significant portion of approached households were not included in the survey.
Participant Demographics
The sample included adults over 18 years, with a higher proportion of women (65.4%) and a mean age of 34.65 years.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.45–0.76
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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