| Summary: | The 2005 National survey indicates that 30,2 % of South African pregnant women are
HIV positive. The risk of transmission to their infants is about 30% unless prevention
interventions are applied. The Nevirapine regime, safe intraparturn practices and safe
infant feeding methods could limit the risk of mother-tochild transmission to 7%.
Antiretroviral treatment is available to women who can afford it and women who qualify
for subsidised medication. However, HlV positive women and their infants can only
benefit from these strategies when their HIV status is known. Yet only about 50% of
pregnant women consent to HIV testing after counselling. Contextual factors,
organisational circumstances and pregnant women's personal circumstances determine
whether they are tested.
This research aimed to develop best practice guidelines for pretest counselling during
pregnancy. This was achieved through four objectives: exploring and describing the
factors that influence pregnant women's decision to be tested in selected antenatal
clinics in the North West Province, identifying the factors that influence HIV counselling
during pregnancy according to counsellors who practice in these clinics, exploring the
current practices regarding counsellir&! for HIV testing during pregnancy in the selected
clinics, investigating research evidence regarding counselling for HlV testing during
pregnancy by means of systematic review and finally developing best practice guidelines
for counselling for HIV testing during pregnancy.
The research followed specific steps that consisted of two phases. Phase 1 was
subdivided into four steps that related to the first four objectives and compiled evidence
towards formulating best practice guidelines in phase 2. Data-collection methods
included semi-structured interviews, semi-structured observation and a systematic
review.
Phase 1's conclusions were integrated and synthesised as base for developing best
practice guidelines in Phase 2. These guidelines were graded and recommendations for
implementation were formulated. Finally, the research was evaluated, limitations were
identified and recommendations were formulated for nursing practice, education and -
research. === Thesis (Ph.D. (Nursing))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.
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