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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.”
