Confidentiality in Architectural Space: A Study of HIV Healthcare Facilities in Uganda

Abstract

This article analyses and discusses spatial conditions contributing to confidentiality in HIV healthcare facilities carried out by two non-governmental organisations in Uganda, the AIDS Information Centre (AIC) and The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO). The provision of confidential space was found to be the most important architectural quality promoting client wellbeing, where Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) as well as ongoing services to people living with HIV are provided. The study shows that confidential space is a requirement in a number of situations: when the client approaches the health centre; during the visit; and in the meeting between client, counsellor and medical staff. An unobtrusive location of the centre and separate, private counselling rooms are thus the most favourable spatial conditions.

This article is based on a qualitative, explorative case study carried out in Jinja, Uganda during four months in 2004. Direct observation, interviews, primarily with clients and staff, spatial analyses and a qualitative content analysis were carried out.

Citation

Nord, C. (2008), "Confidentiality in Architectural Space: A Study of HIV Healthcare Facilities in Uganda", Open House International, Vol. 33 No. 4, pp. 53-62. https://doi.org/10.1108/OHI-04-2008-B0007