TY - JOUR
T1 - Family-Based Index testing for HIV; a qualitative study of acceptance, barriers/challenges and facilitators among clients in Cape Coast, Ghana
AU - Asamoah Ampofo, Evelyn
AU - Commey Tetteh, Isaac
AU - Adu-Gyamfi, Raphael
AU - Ebu Enyan, Nancy Innocentia
AU - Agyare, Elizabeth
AU - Ayisi Addo, Stephen
AU - Obiri-Yeboah, Dorcas
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Family-based Index HIV Testing, (FBIT) approach is known to be associated with a relatively higher testing yield compared to Provider-Initiated Testing and Counselling. The implementation of this strategy in several countries has exposed some barriers to optimal FBIT outcomes. With the scale up of FBIT in Ghana, stakeholder engagement is key in identifying and addressing barriers to implementation. This study explored acceptance, barriers/challenges and facilitators of FBIT. Seventeen in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted among clients who had been offered FBIT at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s [(2006)] thematic analysis framework and found that (1) participants accepted the strategy and were willing to use it; (2) lack of awareness of the strategy among the general public, fear of disclosure/stigmatization, issues with confidentiality and privacy are barriers/challenges associated with the FBIT approach, and (3) increasing public education on HIV in general and FBIT in particular, ensuring confidentiality and privacy regarding testing are facilitators for increasing uptake of FBIT. It is concluded that despite acceptance of FBIT as a good strategy among index clients, general HIV education to reduce stigma and addressing confidentiality can optimize uptake.
AB - Family-based Index HIV Testing, (FBIT) approach is known to be associated with a relatively higher testing yield compared to Provider-Initiated Testing and Counselling. The implementation of this strategy in several countries has exposed some barriers to optimal FBIT outcomes. With the scale up of FBIT in Ghana, stakeholder engagement is key in identifying and addressing barriers to implementation. This study explored acceptance, barriers/challenges and facilitators of FBIT. Seventeen in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted among clients who had been offered FBIT at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s [(2006)] thematic analysis framework and found that (1) participants accepted the strategy and were willing to use it; (2) lack of awareness of the strategy among the general public, fear of disclosure/stigmatization, issues with confidentiality and privacy are barriers/challenges associated with the FBIT approach, and (3) increasing public education on HIV in general and FBIT in particular, ensuring confidentiality and privacy regarding testing are facilitators for increasing uptake of FBIT. It is concluded that despite acceptance of FBIT as a good strategy among index clients, general HIV education to reduce stigma and addressing confidentiality can optimize uptake.
KW - Cape Coast
KW - Family
KW - Ghana
KW - HIV testing
KW - barriers
KW - challenges
KW - facilitators
KW - stigma
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85115375804&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09540121.2021.1981818
DO - 10.1080/09540121.2021.1981818
M3 - Article
C2 - 34554887
AN - SCOPUS:85115375804
SN - 0954-0121
VL - 34
SP - 856
EP - 861
JO - AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
JF - AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
IS - 7
ER -