social context of disclosing hiv test results: hiv testing in tanzania

Twenty-five of the respondents (44 percent) had completed only primary school
education and 9 percent indicated they dropped out from secondary school. Although
there was no significant difference between men and women with regard to completing
primary education, women were more likely to drop out from secondary school than men.
About one-third did not state their level of education. Thirty respondents were married
(16 men and 14 women). Twelve respondents (three men and nine women) were single
and three men and eight women were either separated or divorced. More women than
men were single, separated, divorced, or widowed. About half of the respondents earned
their living through petty trading (47 percent) and about one-quarter through peasant
farming. Although only eight respondents were officially employed, seven indicated that
they were unemployed. Twenty-seven out of thirty married respondents were living with
their spouse.
4.4 Sampling of the Study Population (Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria)
During the development of the protocol, the research team discussed the issues of
site selection for fieldwork, sample size, and the criteria for accepting respondents into
the study. The team selected Dar es Salaam and Iringa to involve both urban and rural
respondents. In addition, Dar es Salaam and Iringa rank third and second, respectively in
terms of regional HIV prevalence. The team initially expected to visit mainly Angaza
sites to identify VCT clients. However, practical problems led the team to visit a variety
of VCT centres that were popular in the study areas.
Three main groups of potential respondents were contacted. The first group
included individuals who had received their HIV test results recently, and were 18 years
old or older, and who were HIV positive. This group of research subjects was recruited in
both sites (Dar es Salaam and Iringa). They were interviewed two times if available. The
second group of research subjects was recruited only in the Iringa site, and included only
people who were living with HIV/AIDS. The third group of respondents was made up of
health care counsellors who had worked in participating VCT centres for at least one
month.
In addition, a number of individuals in positions of authority and who were likely
to be knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS were interviewed to discuss their experiences in
talking to people about disclosure of HIV test results. In Iringa these included one
medical officer from the Iringa Regional Hospital, one Lutheran pastor, one sheikh, one
ward counsellor of Mkimbizi Ward (Iringa Urban), a representative of the Iringa
Regional Facilitating Agency for HIV/AIDS activities, and the Iringa Rural District
Council HIV/AIDS Coordinator. In Dar es Salaam the group included the person in
charge of PMTCT at MOHSW, two imams, one pastor from the Anglican Church, an
official from NACP, and one official from TACAIDS.
4.5 Development of Instruments and the Training of the Research Assistants
Research assistants were recruited who were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and
who had experience with qualitative methods of data collection. Training for one week
took place in a conference room of the Tanzania Institute of Adult Education. The
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