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Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified), Open
Journal article
The complexity of consent: women's experiences testing for HIV at an antenatal clinic in Durban, South Africa
AIDS care, v 22(5), pp 538-544
May 2010
PMID: 20229376
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Informed consent has historically been a cornerstone to ensuring autonomy during HIV testing. However, recent changes to global guidance on HIV testing have led to substantial debate on what policy provisions are necessary to ensure that consent remains meaningful in the context of testing. Despite disproportionate rates of testing during pregnancy, pregnant women's perspectives on the HIV testing process are underrepresented in the testing discourse. This study explores women's experiences with HIV testing and the consent process in a public antenatal clinic in South Africa. Qualitative interviews with 25 women were conducted at the clinic at either an antenatal visit or an infant immunization visit that followed HIV testing. Interviews were transcribed, translated, and coded for analysis. Women were categorized into one of the three groups based on their perceptions of choice in consenting for an HIV test. Matrices were used to allow for cross-category and cross-case comparison. Half of the women described having a clear choice in their decision to test. Others were less clear about their choice. Some women felt they had no choice in testing for HIV. None of the women stated that they were tested without having signed a consent form. We found that half of the women's narratives illustrated direct and indirect ways in which providers coerced them into taking an HIV test while receiving antenatal care. As the new guidance on HIV testing is implemented in different settings, it is critical to monitor women's testing experiences to ensure that a woman's right to make an informed, voluntary choice is not violated. Furthermore, models of testing that allow us to meet broader public health goals while simultaneously respecting women's autonomy are needed.
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Details
- Title
- The complexity of consent: women's experiences testing for HIV at an antenatal clinic in Durban, South Africa
- Creators
- Allison K. Groves - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillSuzanne Maman - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillSibekezelo Msomi - Nelson Mandela Academic HospitalNduduzo Makhanya - Nelson Mandela Academic HospitalDhayendre Moodley - Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital
- Publication Details
- AIDS care, v 22(5), pp 538-544
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000277770000002
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-77952484743
- Other Identifier
- 991020531939704721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Health Policy & Services
- Psychology, Multidisciplinary
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
- Respiratory System
- Social Sciences, Biomedical