Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy for HIV-infected Persons, Botswana, 1999.

SETTING:Botswana, 1999.OBJECTIVE:To measure knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about tuberculosis (TB) preventive therapy (PT) for persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).DESIGN:A systematic sample of adult clinic attendees, using a standardised questionnaire.RESULTS:A total of 275 patients at 38 clinics in five districts were interviewed. The majority were female (65%) and unmarried (84%). Knowing someone with TB or AIDS was common (78% and 53%, respectively). Respondents perceived a relationship between TB and HIV (80%), and the majority were willing to undergo tuberculin skin testing (92%). Of those, most were willing to undergo evaluation for active TB (98%), and to take PT, although willingness to take PT declined with proposed duration (97% 6 months, 90% 1 year, 81% lifetime, P < 0.01). Previous HIV testing was reported by 13%; those who had not undergone testing reported that they would if doctors could improve the quality (95%) or duration (93%) of life of persons with AIDS. The majority favoured receiving HIV test results on the day they were tested (60%).CONCLUSIONS:Most clinic attendees in Botswana were willing to undergo HIV testing if it were beneficial to do so, such as by receiving PT. Pilot PT projects should be initiated. Voluntary HIV counselling and testing services should consider rapid HIV testing methods.