16th International AIDS Conference Toronto, Canada - August 13 - 18, 2006

DISTRICT-WIDE, DOOR-TO-DOOR, HOME-BASED HIV VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING AND TESTING IN RURAL UGANDA

Int Conf AIDS. 2006 Aug 13-18;16 Abstract No. TuAc0101

F. Nuwaha¹, E. Muganzi², S. Kasasa³, M. Achom⁴, R. Bunnel⁴, D. Kabatesi⁴, J. Mermin⁴, E. Tumwesigye^2
1 Makerere University, Institute of Public Health, Disease Control, Kampala, Uganda, ² Integrated Community Based Initiatives, Kabwohe, Uganda, ³ Makerere University, Institute of Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Kampala, Uganda, ⁴ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Entebbe, Uganda

BACKGROUND: Facility-based voluntary counselling and testing programmes often have low rates of access on a population level. We assessed impact of a home-based voluntary counselling and testing (HBCT) programme in Bushenyi District, Uganda, where <10% of adults had been previously HIV-tested.

METHODS: The district´s HBCT programme started in January 2005 and is ongoing. We estimated the adult population (<18 years) of Bushenyi district to be 300,000 people (from 2002 census). Village council leaders assisted in community mobilization. 15 outreach teams (30 from October onwards), comprised of a counsellor and a laboratory assistant, systematically visited all homes offering HIV education and HBCT for all adults and at-risk children (mother deceased or HIV-infected). During the same visit, rapid HIV-testing using a three-test algorithm as well as pre- and post-test counselling was offered in the home. HIV-positives received cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and were referred for antiretroviral treatment eligibility assessment. Routinely collected VCT data were recorded in a standardized questionnaire.

RESULTS: By December 2005, 130,539 people in 40,993 homes were identified as eligible for HBCT, approximately 44% of the estimated district’s total eligible population (300,000); 111,697 (86%) were present at home and accepted pre-test counselling. Of these, 109,046 (98%) accepted testing and received their results; 52% were female. VCT coverage in homes reached was 84% of the eligible population. Overall, 6,275 (5.8%) were HIV-infected (women: 7.0%, men 4.4%, P<0.001); 99% of these received basic care and prevention information. Members of 13,366 couples were counselled and tested together. Of all HIV-positive couples (N=934, 7%), 43% had discordant HIV-status.

CONCLUSIONS: In less than a year, the proportion ever having received an HIV test increased rapidly from <10% to 84% in the population covered, demonstrating that home-based counselling and testing is feasible in this setting, has high uptake and supports linkage to care.

Download PDF of this abstract.

2006-08-13
TuAc0101

Copyright © 2006 - International AIDS Society (IAS). All information and content relating to the abstracts from the 16th International AIDS Conference, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, and software is protected by copyright. Permission is hereby granted for the non-commercial use or reproduction of the information on this web site, provided that the use of such information is accompanied by an acknowledgement that IAS is the source of the information and the name of the author of the article.

AEGiS is a 501c(3) not-for-profit organization made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, GlaxoSmithKline, the National Library of Medicine, Roche / Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2006. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2006. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. Permission is hereby granted for the non-commercial use or reproduction of the information herein, provided that the use of such information is accompanied by an acknowledgement that IAS is the source of the information and the name of the author of the article.