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Do you know your HIV status?
HDN Key Correspondent Team. 09 June 2005. A posting from Af-AIDS ([email protected])
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Do you know your HIV status? Many people are still unable to answer 'yes' to this important question. A pioneering South African programme called 'New Start' sets out to change that.
What prevents us from taking the HIV test? Is it fear of the result or the implicit belief that HIV only affects others? Sadly, these sentiments are equally misguided. Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) is a strategy designed to empower people to make informed choices about their lives by knowing their HIV status. It is also the entry point for HIV/AIDS-related care, treatment and support.
The Society of Family Health (SFH) has developed an innovative service with the brand name 'New Start' to assist people in accessing quality VCT services in three South African cities.
Young men aged 25 to 29 years are the primary target group as studies indicate that they are among the most reluctant to use government testing facilities, reportedly due to long waiting times and the predominance of female staff.
New Start services are intended to compliment government VCT services, not to replace them. They are considered to be a success because, like condom social marketing programmes, they combine business and service principles. A fee of R25 (or just less than 4US$) is charged per person. Although relatively cheap, the thinking is that if a service is paid for by clients it is more highly valued than a free one. Client exit interviews further monitor the quality of the services.
Trained counsellors provide the services, and they are well supported themselves through on-going training and de-briefing sessions. Use of rapid diagnostic tests ensure the availability of test results within fifteen minutes, which avoids the need for return visits by clients.
The service is confidential and clients may remain anonymous if they wish. Couples also use the service, hopefully addressing discordant test results together and promoting mutual support.
A further essential ingredient has been the aggressive marketing of the New Start services through the mass media in South Africa, with good uptake by clients as a result.
New Start currently operates in three urban centres, namely Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town and provides a mobile service to more remote areas.
New Start on site testing is also available at the South African AIDS Conference being held in Durban this week. Delegates are being invited to 'Test and Know!' The chair of the conference, Professor Lynn Morris set an example to all by undergoing her own HIV test today.
"It all begins with us! Let's all get tested and know our status," said Sibusisiwe Mtshali of New Start team. The challenge is ours!
For more information about the 2nd annual South African AIDS Conference, go to: www.sa-aidsconference.com |
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