According to World Health Organization (WHO), voluntary HIV testing and counselling (VTC) should be routinely
offered to all key populations.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), voluntary HIV testing and counselling (VTC) should be routinely offered to all key populations, including people who inject drugs, and is strongly recommended in both the community and clinical settings. Community-based testing and counselling with linkage to prevention, care and treatment services, is recommended, in addition to provider-initiated testing and counseling. Notably, HIV/HCV VTC must always be voluntary and free from coercion and must be part of a comprehensive prevention, care and treatment program. It is important that there are clear and robust links between testing and HIV treatment and care services for those who test positive and with prevention services for those who test negative.
THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS OF HIV AND HCV VTC EMPHASIZE FIVE PRINCIPLES / NORMS OF TESTING (KNOWN AS 5 Cs):
- COUNSELLING AND INFORMATION ABOUT HIV/HCV BEFORE AND AFTER THE TEST;
- CONSENT TO BE TESTED GIVEN IN AN INFORMED, SPECIFIC AND VOLUNTARY WAY BY THE PERSON TO BE TESTED;
- CONFIDENTIALITY MUST BE ASSURED IN EVERY MOMENT OF THE TEST PROCEDURES (INFORMATION ON THE PERSON
- TESTED, THE FACT OF SEEKING A TEST, TEST RESULTS);
- CORRECT RESULTS: PROVIDERS OF TESTING MUST ASSURE A CORRECT TEST RESULTS OR DIAGNOSIS;
- CONNECTION CLIENT TO PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND CARE SERVICES.
The counselling must be offered only by a trained counsellor, who is able to reflect on their work.
A good HIV/ HCV test counselor must:
- have deep understanding of HIV, HCV and another STIs;
- be proficient in counselling techniques;
- have a non-discriminatory and accepting position.
