Ethical Challenges Hindering Women from Utilizing HIV/AIDS Test Services in Uganda

Abstract

The study set out to establish ethical challenges curtailing HIV / AIDS testing among women in Uganda and assessed whether or not the testing services offered by AIC complied with ethical standards. It focused on Aids Information center (AIC) in Mbarara district. Primary data was collected using interviews, questionnaires and focused group discussions. Secondary data used in the study were generated through content analysis of published books, articles, reports, newspapers and journals. Primary data was generated from 94 respondents who were selected using stratified and purposive sampling techniques. The study established that ensuring autonomy of clients and seeking their consent among others are basic principles of medical ethics critical to the uptake of HIV / AIDS testing services by women. The study appreciated that couple testing clubs, voluntary counseling and testing, community sensitization and how clients of different socio – economic status was handled by HIV / AIDS service providers influenced access and utilization of HIV / AIDS testing services by women. Various ethical factors including the fact that female clients had confidentiality concerns that needed to be addressed, cases of segregation and acts of being judgmental displayed by some HIV / AIDS testing personnel undermined uptake of HIV / AIDS testing services among women. Stigmatization, discouragement by husbands, fear of separation and divorce, domestic violence, poverty, ignorance and other factors were also highlighted as bottlenecks that hindered women from under taking HIV/AIDS tests. Whereas the study established that the level of educational attainment by women was not a major factor that hindered women's uptake of HIV / AIDS testing services, it was noticeable that illiterate women were most unlikely to appreciate the need to undertake regular HIV / AIDS tests more than their educated counterparts. HIV / AIDS testing service providers demonstrated inadequate knowledge of the relevant HIV/ AIDS policy guidelines and laws and could therefore not be expected to uphold standards they were generally ignorant about. The fact that women could easily access HIV testing centers; the existence of sensitization and awareness raising campaigns, appropriate counseling services and the requirement for pregnant women to undergo HIV / AIDS tests, were credited for helping increase the uptake of HIV / AIDS testing services particularly in urban areas. According to HIV / AIDS service providers, application of medical ethics by medical practitioners also helped to increase the number of female clients who undertook HIV / AIDS tests