INCREASING ACCESS TO HIV TESTING AND COUNSELLING FOR PEOPLE IN PRISONS AND OTHER

CLOSED SETTINGS

Ralf Jürgens, Fabienne Hariga, Donna Higgins, Ying-Ru Lo, Annette Verster

The UNODC/WHO/UNAIDS Policy Brief on HIV Testing &

Counselling in Prisons & Other Closed Settings

VIENNA AIDS 2010

1

Guidance on provider-initiated testing and counselling (PITC) in health-care settings (2007)

• Prisons are not health-care settings

• Nevertheless, the guidance contains important principles that can be useful also for prisons

• Fear that in the context of prison settings, the PITC guideline would become and excuse for compulsory HIV testing

Methods

• Comprehensive review & analysis of the evidence– Sometimes compulsory testing

– Sometimes no HIV testing at all

– Power balance

– sometimes segregation of PLWH

– No confidentiality

• Extensive consultation process, starting in Varna

(Bulgaria) in 2007 & followed by peer review

• Production of technical paper & policy brief

Recommendations1. Be part of a comprehensive programme

2. Non discriminatory practices and policies

3. Prohibit compulsory HIV testing

4. Access to VCT at any time

5. Offered (opt-in) or recommended HIV testing in specific cases (opt-out): TB, pregnancy

6. Informed consent

www.unodc.org/aids