Summary

Program goals

Voluntary Confidentiality Counseling and Testing (VCCT) has played a very important role as an entry point for HIV/AIDS care, treatment and prevention services, and is available in all 24 provinces at a variety of sites including referral hospital grounds, health centers or NGO clinics in the community. In 2010, NCHADS, however, estimated that the coverage of HIV testing and counseling among high risk groups such as injecting drug users, men having sex with men (MSM) and sex workers at VCCT services was 20%. C/PITC targets outreach to these groups.

Key program components

C/PITC was initiated to increase access to HIV testing services for most at risk groups, mainly sex workers called entertainment workers (EWs) and men having sex with men (MSM) through the use of peer networks to promote and facilitate these high risk populations to check their health status at these new testing settings and/or seek care services at public facilities. The situational analysis and mapping is carried out to recruit peer educator (PE) and peer facilitator (PF) networks who live with EWs and MSM, and suitable venues for setting C/PTIC facilities or drop in centers/meeting points. Another facility exploration is also performed to identify the nearest VCCT centers that are responsible for supporting C/PTIC with staffing, and logistic and supply management. Orientation meetings are organized to sensitize 3 principle Cs (consent, counseling and confidentiality) and articulate the concepts, process and purposes of C/PTIC to PE and PF networks, VCCT staff and other relevant stakeholders to bring their participation in the implementation of C/PTIC. VCCT staff are trained on how to facilitate and manage the process of C/PTIC services. They closely work and support the PE and PF networks such as training the networks on HIV test counseling (process, benefits, risks and other testing-related information). VCCT staff are given transportation fees and incentives during their mission. EW and MSM networks organize their meeting in regular basis and VCCT staff are required to attend the meetings to continuous provision of technical supports to the networks and/or provide testing services in case of any voluntary acceptance by network members. The HIV testing services are provided in accordance with the National HIV Testing and Counseling protocol. In case of HIV positive, a 2 USD cell card is attached with the testing result in a sealed envelope to encourage and facilitate clients to seek consultation with counselors; however in case of no communication from the HIV positive persons, counselors take a responsibility for searching and bringing their clients for post-test counseling.