Expecting Mothers’ Perceptions of Compulsory HIV Testing Insights from a Certain Health Facility in Masvingo, Zimbabwe

The purpose of this study was premised on expecting (pregnant) mothers’ perceptions on compulsory HIV testing. The findings of the study indicated that the majority of the mothers have positive perceptions towards HIV testing. Qualitative research approach was employed and convenient sampling was used to reach 44 participants. 40 of them were expecting mothers and 4 were the service providers. 80% of the participants were aged between 21-35 years; all were married and lived with their husbands. Questionnaires were answered by mothers and the service providers were interviewed. Barriers to voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) included fear of discrimination, lack of support by spouses, and fear of being blamed if positive.80% of mothers had sound knowledge on HIV and AIDS, mother to child transmission (MTCT), and prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT). Expecting mothers had good perceptions towards HIV testing in general. HIV testing was viewed as compulsory for every woman attending antenatal care even though service providers indicated that the clinic offers “opt out” and provider-initiated testing. Compulsory testing was perceived as more beneficial to the mother and the baby and less shortcomings were indicated. The challenge the clinic faces is that of late booking and in this study three mothers were late bookers, there are no records of infants born positive at the health facility. The study concluded that there are more factors that are contributing to an increase in infants born positive than expecting mothers’ perceptions on compulsory HIV testing