HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING

300,000people served since 1987

HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) is the only way by which individuals who are HIV positive can be identified and enrolled into a care programme.

HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING

The AIDS Support Organisation

Uganda

Old Mulago Hospital Complex P.O. Box 10443

Kampala, Uganda

+256 414 532 580mail@tasouganda.orgwww.tasouganda.org

HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) still remains the entry point for prevention and care programmes in the country National Development Plan. The current implementation approaches include:

Home Based HIV Testing and Counseling (HBHTC)This involves extending HIV Counseling and Testing services to the family of a TASO client within the comfort of their home.

Provider Initiated Testing and Counseling (PITC)This is integrating Testing and Counseling services within the Public Health Facilities. Testing is done at the Outpatients Departments, medical wards, Infant and Young Children Clinics. Ante natal and Postnatal Clinics as well as specialized clinics such as the Ear Nose and Throat, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis wards.

Client Initiated Testing and Counseling (CITC)This is provided to those who voluntarily walk into TASO sites and request for this service. They could also be at activities such as exhibitions, health camps, music concerts or political rallies. However, referrals to Public Health Facilities are done for the general population.

HIV Testing and Counseling for Key PopulationsThis includes taking services to sex workers, fisher folk, long distance truck drivers and, sexual minorities (LGBTI). This has expanded to include those in long term marriages, student hostels in institutions of higher learning, migrant workers in plantations and orphanages.

Couple Testing and CounselingThis was rolled out in a bid to encourage male involvement in health issues hence the encouragement to test as a couple.

TASO’s established linkage facilitation mechanism ensures that all those who test HIV positive are linked to a continuum of care.

5,501individuals tested HIV+

2,590couples were tested and counseled

201couples had discordant results

October 2013 - March 2014

106individuals counseled and tested for Post Exposure Prophylaxis