The study found that voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) nurses—professional nurses who provide testing and counseling services in addition to their daily nursing jobs without extra compensation—in the Limpopo province face high levels of emotional strain. More than 300 nurses in the province have been trained to provide HIV services since 2001, but today there are only 20 still delivering VCT services.
“VCT is a very crucial entry point in enabling HIV prevention and management, and is extremely essential in not only helping patients cope with their illness but also helps reduce overall infection rates,” said Dr. Mashudu Maselesele, who conducted the research. “It is therefore vital that we implement effective health care worker-retention strategies—via proper mentoring and emotional support—to improve the motivational levels of nurses.”
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
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Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
