3rd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment Rio de Janeiro - July 24 - 27, 2005

HIGH UPTAKE OF VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING AND TESTING (VCT) SERVICES USING THE MOBILE AND HOME-TO-HOME (M&H-H) APPROACHES IN 2 TWO DISTRICTS IN EASTERN UGANDA, THROUGH THE AIDS INFORMATION CENTRE (AIC)

IAS Conf HIV Pathog Treat 2005 Jul 24-27;3rd: Abstract No. TuPp0204

Murana E., Okello B.N.
AIDS Information Centre - Uganda, Mbale, East-Africa, Uganda

INTRODUCTION: The Uganda Demographic and Health survey 2001, reveals that 67% Ugandans would take the HIV test but only 10% know their sero-status. This under utilization of VCT services is attributed to; High costs (USD 2), Ignorance about existence of VCT services and VCT centres being few and far apart.

METHODS: M&H-H are two different approaches to VCT piloted by AIC in the Ugandan districts of Tororo and Busia between June and September 2004 Mobile VCT Services are provided at a static venue for 3-5 days in a week. The team comprises of AIC supervisors, District Service providers and Community Owned Resource Persons (CORPs) supported by local leaders in the mobilization. This is a precursor to the H-H VCT. Home-to-Home: VCT teams provide services to consented clients in their homes. Family members are first given information to enable them decide to test individually or with partners. Sessions are conducted using standard AIC counselling and testing Protocols. Referrals are provided to clients who need support services provided by other partners Data is collected using AIC standard tools.

RESULTS: There is a high demand for VCT services. 5,174 clients were served compared to the targeted 2,070 clients Sero prevalence rates are much lower among M & H-H VCT clients (6.9%) compared to facility based clients (24% in 2003.) 1,417 out of the 2,167 Homes in the 2 districts covered accepted the teams and had at least 1 member tested, giving 65% household acceptance. Stigma does not seem to be a big issue when VCT services are taken to the communities Vulnerable groups like the women, the poor, the old and the disabled accessed VCT services.

CONCLUSIONS: Partnerships with local stakeholders and agencies providing care and support services are crucial for sustainability of this service. Capacity building for CORPs is vital.

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050724
Prevention | TuPp0204 | Eriya Murana
Dynamics of the HIV epidemic

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