7th session voluntary counselling & testing

8/13/2019 7th Session Voluntary Counselling & Testing

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Voluntary Counselling & Testing.


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What is VCT?

VCT is a public health strategy that aims at reducingpreventing) HIV transmission by:

1. Increasing peoples access to knowledge and

understanding of HIV status on a voluntary basis

2. Facilitating early uptake of services for

HIV-positive and -negative people (medical,

psychological, legal, social)

3. Providing tools for the adoption of safe behaviour


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What is VCT? (contd)

4. Increasing awareness and information incommunities

5. Reducing and removing stigmatization and

discrimination associated with the epidemic


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United Nations Policy

VCT is based on the requirement that

testing for HIV be based on the informed

consentof the person being tested.

HIV Testing must alwaysbe the

individuals informeddecision.


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Goals of VCT {1}

1. Prevention of HIV Transmission:

From +ve tested people to -ve or

untested partner/s.

From +ve tested mother to child.

To -ve tested people from +ve or untestedpartner/s.


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Goals of VCT {2}

2. Promote Early Uptake Of Services: Medical care. ARV therapy

Treatment & prevention of OIs

PMTCT

Family planning. Emotional care.

Counselling for positive living. Social support. Legal advice and future planning.


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Goals of VCT {3}

Normalisation of HIV.

Challenging stigma.

Promoting awareness.

Supporting human rights.

Societal


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Guiding principle of VCT

Confidential

Accompanied by Counselling

Only be conducted with Consent, i.e. both

informed and voluntary


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What is confidentiality?

Confidentiality arises when:

There is a confidential relationship, the nature of

which may be dependent on factors of trust,

knowledge and skill

Information which otherwise would not be disclose

to other without the clients consent .

For example, doctorpatient and counsellorclient

relationship


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Informed consent for HIV testing

Pre-test counselling should include:

engagement and assessment

risk reduction and planning assistance

review and signing the consent form

Post-test counselling should include:

presentation and encouragement

priorities and follow-up


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Symptoms or worries leading to a decision to know HIV status

Counselling before testing, including assessment of risk behaviour and psychosocial

condition, and provision or oral and written factual information.

Providing time to consider

Blood test declined Blood sample taken

HIV Negative

Reinforcing appropriate behaviour and

encouraging change of in-appropriate

behaviour.

HIV Positive

Breaking the news sensitively; assessing capacity to manage

news; providing time for discussion; helping to adjust to

situation and making appropriate and reasonable plans.

Explaining that even in a low-risk situation,

care needs to be taken to avoid infection and

possible transmission.

Providing on-going counselling that involves family, friends &others; mobilising family and community support; identifying

other sources of support; encouraging responsible behaviour.

Providing continuing counselling, including stimulating

motivation to reduce risks of transmission; where appropriate,

identifying other sources of support, including medical, hospital

and possibly hospice care.


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Essential elements of VCT services

Determining the clients knowledge

Providing information

Conduct risk assessment

Develop risk reduction plan

Demonstrating correct condom use

Counselling about the test result

Assessing the clients capacity and ability to cope

Counselling on how to inform partner how to refer partner for

testing

Providing psychological and emotional support and referrals,as appropriate


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VCT sites should have at least the

following

An appropriate private room for counselling

A room for HIV testing

A comfortable waiting area

Appropriate equipment, test kits and other supplies .

A trained counsellor

A health worker/laboratory worker certified in HIV testing

Appropriate record keeping, monitoring and evaluation

system

IEC materials, condoms and other supplies.


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Voluntary Versus Mandatory Testing as a

Public Health Strategy

There is no evidence to support the use of

mandatory HIV testing.

There is evidence to suggest that promoting

and offering VCT is an effective public health

strategy.


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What are the Documented Benefits

of VCT ?

VCT reduces risk behaviour, especially in those

tested positive.

VCT assists in test-making decision-making and

coping.

VCT assists HIV status disclosure to family members

& loved-ones.

VCT facilitates access to community support,

material support & psychosocial care.


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Who benefits from accessing HIV counseling and

testing?

Populations most at risk such as FSW,MSW, MSM, IDU, migrants, Pregnant women

People who perceive themselves at risk of HIV infection throughunsafe practices frequent or unprotected sex

injecting drug use

People who had a potential exposure: through unsafe blood supplies or contaminated equipment

victims of rape

Children of HIV positive mothers

Adolescents and young people

Couples planning to commence a sexual relationship or marryand/or have children

Sexual or needle sharing partners of PLHA

People with sign symptom of STI


19/19THANK YOU

7th session voluntary counselling & testing

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