TY - JOUR
T1 - Quality and quantity of antenatal HIV counselling in a PMTCT programme in Mombasa, Kenya
AU - Delva, Wim
AU - Mutunga, Lillian
AU - Quaghebeur, Ann
AU - Temmerman, Marleen
N1 - Funding Information:
This research has been realized with a grant from the Flemish Inter-University Council (VLIR). We thank the faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of Ghent University, Belgium, for providing logistical support and Professor Georges Van Maele of Ghent University, Department of Medical Statistics, for assisting with statistics.
PY - 2006/4
Y1 - 2006/4
N2 - A recent report from a PMTCT implementation study in Mombasa, Kenya, points at an important gap between the efficacy in clinical trial circumstances and the effectiveness of PMTCT programmes when implemented in real life. Hence, the quality and quantity of antenatal HIV counselling in a routine setting were appraised. The counsellors' social and communicative skills, duration and topics covered during pre- and post-test counselling sessions were assessed by means of the VCT assessment tools published by UNAIDS. A total of 14 group educational sessions, 66 pre-test counselling sessions and 50 post-test counselling sessions were observed and assessed. In general, the frequency and duration of the counselling was low. Crucial topics such as window period and partner involvement and follow-up support were covered haphazardly. The counsellor's social and communicative skills were given high marks, yet information was rarely repeated or summarized. The limited time dedicated to women receiving antenatal VCT contrasts with the heavy and comprehensive load of health information and advice they are supposed to receive. Ample pre- and post-test counselling including follow-up should be pursued for optimal effectiveness of PMTCT. We propose a number of health system interventions preceded and guided by ongoing audit.
AB - A recent report from a PMTCT implementation study in Mombasa, Kenya, points at an important gap between the efficacy in clinical trial circumstances and the effectiveness of PMTCT programmes when implemented in real life. Hence, the quality and quantity of antenatal HIV counselling in a routine setting were appraised. The counsellors' social and communicative skills, duration and topics covered during pre- and post-test counselling sessions were assessed by means of the VCT assessment tools published by UNAIDS. A total of 14 group educational sessions, 66 pre-test counselling sessions and 50 post-test counselling sessions were observed and assessed. In general, the frequency and duration of the counselling was low. Crucial topics such as window period and partner involvement and follow-up support were covered haphazardly. The counsellor's social and communicative skills were given high marks, yet information was rarely repeated or summarized. The limited time dedicated to women receiving antenatal VCT contrasts with the heavy and comprehensive load of health information and advice they are supposed to receive. Ample pre- and post-test counselling including follow-up should be pursued for optimal effectiveness of PMTCT. We propose a number of health system interventions preceded and guided by ongoing audit.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33645148645&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09540120500456425
DO - 10.1080/09540120500456425
M3 - Article
C2 - 16546777
AN - SCOPUS:33645148645
SN - 0954-0121
VL - 18
SP - 189
EP - 193
JO - AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
JF - AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
IS - 3
ER -
