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The Rakai Project counselling programme experience.
Joseph K B Matovu1, Godfrey Kigozi, Fred Nalugoda
1Rakai Project/Uganda Virus Research Institute, Ministry of Health, Rakai district, Uganda. rpklsz@infocom.co.ug
Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH
|December 4, 2002
Summary
Home delivery of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services significantly increased HIV result receipt in rural communities. This approach offers a vital pathway for accessing HIV testing and counselling in underserved populations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- HIV/AIDS Research
Background:
- The Community HIV Epidemiological Research (CHER) study aimed to understand HIV prevalence and access to services.
- Rural populations often face barriers to accessing essential health services like HIV testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the acceptance and receipt rates of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of home-based delivery of HIV results in a rural cohort.
Main Methods:
- Adults aged 15-49 years in 56 communities were enrolled.
- HIV testing was conducted using enzyme immunoassays with Western blot confirmation.
- Knowledge, Attitude, Behaviour, Practice questionnaires were administered.
Main Results:
- 77.6% of participants provided blood samples for HIV testing.
- 90% of those tested requested their HIV results.
- 64.6% of those who requested results actually received them.
Conclusions:
- Home delivery of VCT services demonstrated high acceptance and receipt rates in a rural population.
- This delivery model can significantly improve access to HIV counselling and testing in rural areas.
- Increased access to VCT is crucial for HIV prevention and management strategies.