Connecting withSexual Health

Voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VCT) has become an effective public health tool, providing individuals who might ‘shy’ away from HIV intervention with access to confidential HIV prevention and care². Many people who are oncerned about HIV and AIDS will not immediately go for testing at their local GP surgery where they are known for fear of stigma and discrimination. Coupled with the anxiety over waiting 24 hours to 7 days for test results with a fear that the test may be positive, many people do not return to collect their results, even from Genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics where they do have a degree of anonymity.

In May 2007, UNAIDS and the World Health Organisation (WHO) released guidelines on HIV testing and counselling in health facilities, recommending VCT alongside provider-initiated testing in all healthcare settings. The VCT model of: pre-test discussion, HIV testing, and post-test discussion emphasises the importance of client centred care pathways. By understanding their HIV status, individuals are able to gain early access to specific treatment, care and counselling, prevent transmission, and plan for the future².

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