%0 Journal Article
%T Are students being coerced into HIV testing? Ethical considerations related to offering incentives for HIV counselling and testing at tertiary institutions in South Africa
%A D Cameron
%A H van der Merwe
%J South African Journal of Bioethics and Law
%D 2012
%I 
%X A social marketing strategy, including substantial prizes, was used to promote HIV testing at 17 institutions of higher learning in South Africa. Over 20 000 students with a mean age of 19 years were counselled and tested for HIV. The majority were being tested for the first time. Afterwards they signed a public pledge: ¡®We, the class of 2010, pledge to know our status, to stop HIV/AIDS stigma and to contribute to the struggle against HIV/AIDS.¡¯ The students¡¯ opinion of the campaign was surveyed and they were found to be overwhelmingly in favour of it. The issue of whether the prizes unduly influenced the students¡¯ participation is investigated and an approach to resolving ethical dilemmas is presented. The potential of incentives to undermine ¡®moral sentiments¡¯ is reviewed.
%U http://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajbl/article/view/83503