Correlates of HIV Test Results Seeking and Utilization of Partner Counseling Services in a Cohort of Male Factory Workers in Zimbabwe

Correlates of individual HIV test results-seeking and utilization of partner counseling services were identified among male factory workers who participated in a longitudinal HIV prevention intervention study in Harare, Zimbabwe. Men working at participating factories were offered HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for themselves and their partners. While risk assessment counseling was offered in the workplace, result disclosure and partner counseling occurred at an off-workplace location. Of the 3,383 men undergoing risk assessment and testing, 1,903 (56%) chose to receive their test results and 230 (7%) brought their partners for VCT. Factors associated with receiving test results were history of STD and lower salary. Factors associated with bringing a partner for VCT were history of STD, being married, being employed at a factory with a peer educator, lower salary, and no prostitute contact. Incorporating VCT into STD treatment services is likely to reach a large number of men and their partners at highest risk for both types of infections. Because men are often the main decision-makers in sexual and reproductive matters, VCT must be easily accessible to urban, working African men.