Health Workers’ implementation of national HIV disclosure policy: Implications for HIV elimination in Ghana

Abstract

Disclosure of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to partners at significant risk of infection is key for both personal health maintenance and HIV prevention within the larger population. The study applied an explorative descriptive qualitative design to explore Health Workers implementation of the disclosure provisions in the revised National STI and HIV AIDS Policy on disclosure of clients HIV status to a partner at significant risk of infection. The homogenous purposive sampling method was used to sample thirteen (13) nurses and midwives who provide HIV services to clients at the PMTC and ART units of the Wa municipal hospital. Ethical approval was granted by University of Cape Coast institutional review board. Indepth interviews were conducted with a semi-structured interview guide until data saturation was reached. The interviews were audio taped, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study showed a general lack of awareness about the existence of the National HIV and AIDS, STI policy that guides their practice which was attributed to the lack of refresher training on the revised policy guidelines on disclosure. Participants however saw the need to make a disclosure to one sexual partner based on their instincts and the perceived benefits of disclosure to the fight against the spread of the disease. Worry, anger and sadness were Some of the emotional struggles the nurses revealed they go through in order to persuade clients disclose their seropositive status to their partners. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that the government, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders should organize periodic seminars and workshops for HIV counsellors to update their knowledge on issues pertaining to HIV and AIDS.