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

COMPLIMENTARITY OF VOLUNTARY COUNSELING AND TESTING (VCT) SERVICES AND HIV CARE AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN TANZANIA.

IAS Conf HIV Pathog Treat 2005 Jul 24-27;3rd: Abstract No. TuPp0206

Mduma B., Dulle R., Temu F., Didi A., Ocheng D., Gavyole A.
African Medical and Research Foundation(AMREF), Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania

INTRODUCTION: In 2004, the Government of Tanzania instituted a comprehensive HIV Care and Treatment (CT) program aimed at availing free ARV to all the eligible individuls out of teh estimated 2m PLHAS. Among the critical challenges facing this initiative is: scaling up HIV testing to establish the number of HIV infected individuals and to channel them to Care and Treatment programs. To this effect, one lead NGO, the African Medical and Research Foundation, AMREF, has up-scaled its network of same day results VCT centers from 21 before to 45 after the launch of the CT program in order to complement government efforts.

METHODS: From 2001 to December 2004, a total of 45 static and 5 mobile outreach VCT centers were established by the AMREF ANGAZA program in partnership with Faith Based Organizations and government agencies. Clients aged 16 years or older were enticed to visit the sites and access VCT services. Rapid HIV testing was done by non laboratory staff (nurses and clinical officers) according to a serial algorithm that uses capillus as a first test and confirmed by Determine 1/2 for all sero-reactive specimens.

RESULTS: A total of 180969 first time clients comprising of 98906(54.7%) males and 82063(45.3%) females have been counseled and consented to have an HIV test; of these, 6.6% males and 16.3% females tested HIV positive. The results and post test counseling were provided same day and clients referred to PLHAS networks including CT centers.

CONCLUSIONS: Rapid HIV testing is now acceptable countrywide, and feasible to many people. This has increased the number of people accessing VCT services and consequently referred to among others, care and treatment services.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: USAID for funding the ANGAZA program.

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Prevention | TuPp0206 | Benedicta Mduma
Voluntary counselling and testing

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