Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) is the main area that is supported with funding coming from CDC. To pilot VCT services in Addis Ababa two VCT centers, one freestanding (www.ossa-ethiopia.org) and one health service integrated, were established in cooperation with CDC.
The sites started their operations in 2002 and have got
five service components:-
Quality counseling:
The centers provide client-centered
quality counseling focused on risk reduction during pre-
and post-test counseling sessions.
Pre-test counseling:
- Assesses individuals' risky behavior and explores options for risk reduction
- Prepares clients for HIV testing
- Obtains informed consents from clients for taking a HIV test
Post-test counseling:
- Informs about test results
- Provides support to clients to cope with the result
- Negotiates individualized risk reduction plan to initiate behavioral change
- Encourages disclosure and partner referral
- Identifies and makes referral to medical, psychosocial and other services
Quality HIV testing:
The centers provide same day test result
using an algorithm of 3 rapid tests: screening, confirmatory
and tiebreaker. This combination together with an ongoing
quality assurance system provides 100% accurate results.
Provision of results (with assured confidentiality) on the same day improves
service delivery, increases chances of clients receiving their results and it
is cost-efficient to the client and the service provider.
Linkage and referral to care and support:
The VCT centers
provide referral services for clinical care, home based
care, AIDS orphan care, counseling and social support.
Database management and community education programs: to address fear and stigma about HIV
Increase access to and understanding of VCT services:
VCT is an effective, cost-efficient weapon in the fight
against HIV/AIDS. Research has shown that people who test
negative are more likely to change their behavior to keep
their negative status. Those who test positive are more
likely to live in a better way with the virus and are looking
for medical support at an earlier stage. And most of all
they take care not to transmit the virus to others.
VCT guides couples and family in making decisions about HIV prevention and future plans, like marriage, children etc. At community level, VCT generates optimism as large numbers of persons test negative and reduces stigma as more persons go public about having HIV.
