Scaling up HIV Testing and Counseling
Scaling up HIV Testing and Counseling
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People reach HIV treatment, care, and the full range of prevention options through the gateway of HIV testing and counselling (HTC). Currently, most people with HIV do not know that they are infected;those who do know often test late; and poor linkages from HTC to care mean that may people start antiretroviral therapy (ART) when they are already significantly immunocompromised, resulting in poor health outcomes and ongoing transmission. A successful public health response to HIV requires robust HTC services. At the same time, HTC requires successful linkages to HIV care and treatment. The value of HTC depends on linking people to services that are acceptable, accessible, and effective. Download this publication |
 | Background: One-third of all new HIV infections in Cambodia are estimated to be due to mother-to child transmission. Although the Ministry of Health adopted a policy of provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling (PITC), nearly a quarter of pregnant mothers were not tested in 2007. Greater acceptance of HIV testing is a challenge despite Cambodia’s adoption of the PITC policy. Download this publication |
 | The number of Koreans diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections is increasing annually; however, CD4+ T-cell counts at diagnosis have decreased. The purpose of the present study was to identify clinical and epidemiologic associations with low CD4+ T-cell counts at the time of HIV diagnosis in a Korean population. Download this publication |
| The Regional Partnership Forum, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 31 March to 2 April 2008, brought together 133 participants from 17 countries, representing governments, regional and national non-government organizations of East Asia and the Pacific region, international organizations and United Nations agencies. The Forum reviewed the progress within the East Asia and the Pacific region on the commitment to children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS and to those made vulnerable to HIV since the Hanoi Consultation. It offered a vital opportunity to share experiences in promoting change and reaffirmed and strengthened the commitment made along with new milestones in enhancing coverage of services and improved policy measures. Download this publication |
| In spite of HIV treatment becoming more widely available, few people living with HIV are aware of their status due to limited availability and coverage of HIV testing and counselling services. Multiple factors have impeded efforts to increase coverage of HIV testing and counselling services. Implementing HIV testing and counselling strategies, in particular among high-risk and vulnerable populations, in an ethical manner that respects their human rights, remains a challenge. Download this publication |
| In Cambodia, the preferred term for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) is voluntary and confidential counseling and testing (VCCT). It is used in order to promote the confidential aspect of the service. For the purpose of the regional audience for which this document is primarily intended, the generic term VCT has been used. Download this publication |
| Millions of people in the Asia-Pacific Region are affected by HIV. The incidence of HIV continues to rise at an alarming rate in some parts of the region—particularly among populations with high-risk behaviours, including injecting drug users (IDUs), men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers, prisoners, migrants and youth. Efforts to provide care, treatment and support to people living with HIV (PLHIV) have achieved some laudable successes, but the majority of PLHIV are still not able to access important services—for example, it is estimated that only 19% of PLHIV in East, South and South-East Asia who need ART currently receive it.1 While care, treatment and support services for HIV are increasingly available throughout the region, seldom are they linked and coordinated in a way that optimizes PLHIV access and adherence to treatment. Download this publication |
| This document responds to growing need at country level for basic operational guidance on provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling in health facilities. Download this publication |
| The assessment by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) of inclusive, country-driven processes for scaling up HIV prevention, treatment, care and support is submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 60/224. In that resolution, the Assembly requested UNAIDS and its co-sponsors to assist in facilitating such processes, with the aim of coming as close as possible to the goal of universal access to treatment by 2010 for all those who need it, including through increased resources, and working towards the elimination of stigma and discrimination, enhanced access to affordable medicines and the reduction of vulnerability of persons affected by HIV/AIDS and other health issues. Download this publication |
