HIV Testing and Counselling
In 2003 it was estimated that only 0.2% of adults in countries with low and middle income received counseling and voluntary testing. People are not tested for HIV for many reasons: lack of access to testing services, fear of stigma and discrimination, fear of the test is positive, and lack of access to treatment. These events attract thousands of opportunities to improve access to treatment, care, support and prevention have been and are lost.
Given the need for individuals to have fast access to treatment, care, support and prevention, UNAIDS and WHO help to further expand access to HIV testing and counseling throughout the trial expansion began to clients and advisory services for the expansion of provider-initiated testing centers and counseling in health care. These efforts are not only necessary to improve the health of individuals, are also needed to achieve universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support for an effective response against HIV.
UNAIDS does not support mandatory testing of people. All evidence, whether initiated by the customer or supplier must be conducted under the conditions of approval “three Cs”: informed participation, are confidential and include counseling. Recognizing the urgent need to connect people to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, UNAIDS and the World Health launched in May 2007 Assets Management provider screening and counseling in institutions health. Guidance is in line with the 2004 UNAIDS / WHO Policy Statement on HIV testing and recommends that the voluntary testing and counseling will be completed by the traditional supplier of testing initiative in all fields Health generalized HIV epidemics and health facilities (such as tuberculosis, sexual health and prenatal care clinics) in areas where low or concentrated epidemic HIV.
The application of this guide should be informed by understanding the social and epidemiological context in which the test is conducted. When there are high levels of stigma and discrimination and a poor capacity to implement screening and counseling during the three Cs, these issues must be addressed before the expansion of access to provider-initiated testing and counseling in health facilities. Although access to antiretroviral treatment is not a prerequisite, there must be a realistic expectation of access in the country plan to achieve universal access by 2010. And there must be access to a basic package of prevention, care and support, as the cornerstone of expanding access to HIV testing and counseling to achieve results beneficial to health.