Voluntary Counseling And Testing Research Articles

HUBUNGAN MUTU PELAYANAN VCT DENGAN KEPUASAN PASIEN DI PUSKESMAS SIDOMULYO KOTA PEKANBARU

Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) is a process of voluntary counseling and HIV testing on the initiative of the individual concerned. VCT as the main step taken in several Puskesmas in Pekanbaru on prevention, care, support and treatment services. This study aims to determine the relationship between the quality of VCT services and patient satisfaction at the Sidomulyo Public Health Center, Pekanbaru City. This study used a descriptive correlation research design with a cross sectional approach. The sample in this study were 67 respondents using total sampling technique. The data collection tool used was a questionnaire. Analysis of the data used were univariate and bivariate analysis (chi square). Majority of respondents feel that the quality of service is good, which was 37 people (55,2%) and the level of satisfaction of patients who feel satisfied was 35 people (52,2%). The results of the chi square test showed that there was a relationship between the quality of VCT services and patient satisfaction at the Sidomulyo Public Health Center, Pekanbaru City with p value (0.000) < alpha (0,05). There is a relationship between the quality of VCT services and patient satisfaction at the Sidomulyo Public Health Center, Pekanbaru City.

Trends of late HIV presentation and advance HIV disease among newly diagnosed HIV cases in Jiangsu, China: A serial cross-sectional study from 2008 to 2020.

This study aimed to assess the trends and determine the factors associated with late presentation (LP) and advanced HIV disease (AHD) among newly diagnosed people living with HIV (PLWH) from 2008 to 2020 in Jiangsu, China. Newly diagnosed PLWH registered in the HIV surveillance system from 2008 to 2020 were included. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the factors associated with LP and AHD. The LP and AHD trends were assessed using Joint-point analysis. Of 37,251 newly diagnosed PLWH identified, 30,251(81.2%) patients met the inclusion criteria. Among those, 16,672 (55.1%) were considered LP, and 8,691 (28.7%) had AHD. LP trends steadily increased from 2008 (39.0%) to 2020 (59.4%), but AHD trends decreased visibly from 2016 (32.3%) to 2020 (23.4%). The overall median CD4 trends decreased slowly from 389 to 305 cells/mm3 between 2008 and 2020. Married patients and those older than 35 years were more likely to be LP and have AHD. Patients infected via heterosexual transmission had a higher risk of being classified as AHD (aOR: 1.13, 95%CI: 1.06-1.21) than patients infected via homosexual transmission. Patients that were diagnosed at sexually transmitted infections (STIs) clinics (aOR: 1.10, 95%CI: 1.01-1.20) and in hospitals (aOR: 1.69, 95%CI: 1.59-1.79) were more likely to be classified as LP compared with patients diagnosed at voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) centers. Similar, patients diagnosed at STIs clinics (aOR: 1.23, 95%CI: 1.11-1.36) and hospitals (aOR: 2.27, 95%CI: 2.12-2.43) were more likely to have AHD than patients diagnosed in VCT. Our findings indicate an alarming burden of LP in Jiangsu, suggesting the need for more attention toward HIV diagnosis at early CD4 stages. National HIV control programs must strengthen comprehensive interventions for HIV prevention and promote HIV services. Also, strategies for HIV prevention (PrEP and PEP), testing, and treatment must be extended, especially among the general population.

Knowledge and reliance on the availability of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services relating to the utilization of VCT services by the Man who has Sex with Man community

Introduction: Southeast Asia is the second continent that has a higher population of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Indonesia needs to be vigilant to prevent the spreading and transmission of this virus. One of the services provided by the government for the initial screening of HIV/ AIDS is Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT). This research aimed to identify the behavior factors related to the utilization of VCT services by the Man who has Sex with Man (MSM) community.

UPAYA PENCEGAHAN DAN PENANGGULANGAN PENYEBARAN PENYAKIT INFEKSI MENULAR SEKSUAL MASA PANDEMI COVID-19 DI KABUPATEN BATANG

With these various problems, the researchers set the research objective, namely to find out efforts to prevent and control the spread of sexually transmitted infections during the Covid-19 pandemic in Batang Regency and what factors influence it. Data collection in this qualitative descriptive study was carried out in three ways, namely observation, interviews and documentation. The results of this study indicate that efforts to prevent and control sexually transmitted infections, especially HIV/AIDS during the Covid-19 pandemic in Batang Regency are realized through several programs and activities, namely outreach programs, Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT), Care Support and Treatment (VCT). CST), Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART), Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT), Directly Observed Treatment, Shorourse Chemotherapy (DOTS) and Mentoring. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on several STI disease prevention and control programs is in the form of reducing service time even to the point of discontinuing services caused by government policies in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, factors that hinder and support efforts to prevent and control STIs during the COVID-19 pandemic lead to the government's policy of imposing restrictions on community activities and utilizing advances in information technology.

PATRONAGE OF HIV/AIDS VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING AND TESTING (VCT) AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN GHANA

Purpose: This study investigated the factors influencing patronage of HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) among students in the University of Cape Coast.
 Methodology: Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Referring from Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) Sample Determination Table, a sample of 376 students was chosen using convenience sampling from a population of 18949 students. Data were collected using questionnaire adapted from the instrument of Kabiri (2016) administered online. Data were analysed using means and standard deviations.
 Findings: The study revealed that the students had high level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS VCT and its importance but had low level of knowledge about VCT centres. The study found that the respondents were willing to go to HIV/AIDS VCT Centre to check their HIV/AIDS status and knew of some friends who had gone for HIV/AIDS VCT. However, it was clear that the respondents themselves had not visited VCT centres. Additionally, it was shown in this study by the respondents that willingness, perception of risk associated with their sexual lives, positive perception about VCT, attitude of service provides and ease of access to VCT centres are factors which would influence them to patronize HIV/AIDS VCT.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Theoretically, the study has highlighted that having awareness of VCT and its importance was not enough to make students patronize VCT services. This means that knowledge and awareness alone was not enough to influence patronage of services.It can also be said that the theory of planned behaviour reviewed in the study was confirmed because a lot of elements are involved in people deciding to engage in specific behaviours. To improve the patronage of VCT, efforts should be put into making VCT centers easily accessible to students. Policy makers are alerted on the low patronage of HIV/AIDS VCT among university students so they can streamline their policies to aid in increasing patronage of VCT by university students.

Using Client Flow to Assess Effectiveness of Voluntary Counseling and Testing Service as the Gateway in the Control of HIV/AIDS in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria

Anambra State, South-East Nigeria, had high prevalence of HIV averaging 7.1% during period under study. In line with national guidelines, the State established 117 Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) centers designed to function as ‘gateway’ service to other HIV/AIDS services in the State. This study assessed the effectiveness of VCT centers as ‘gateway’ to other HIV/ AIDS services in Anambra State for the period 2006 to 2011 using the client flow recorded by the VCT centers. Descriptive documentary survey was adopted. Secondary data comprising of client flows of the VCT centers were collected. The data were presented in tables as integrated annual summary reports, and analysed as percentages, comparison, and for significance using Chi-Square Test of Significance @ 0.05. It was found that average annual client flows of 1.89% at the VCT centers were not significant. Inference was drawn and conclusion made that VCT service, for the years under study, was not an effective gateway to other HIV/AIDS services in Anambra State. The study recommends a paradigm shift to Universal Counseling and Testing involving, among other features; focus on provider-initiated counseling and testing and liberalization of the location of UCT centers in other public places with high client catchment potentials such as Government Secretariats.

Deteksi HIV / AIDs Dengan Pemeriksaan Viral Load Dan Pemeriksaan Penghitungan CD4 Cell

The incidence of cases of HIV / AIDS is still increasing, including in South Kalimantan, especially Banjarmasin, which has an incidence of cases of HIV / AIDS in 2018 totaling 181 people. The HIV virus attacks white blood cells (T-helper lymphocytes "CD4 +) and results in decreased human immunity. The viral load examination is used to measure the amount of HIV virus in the blood. Examination of CD4 cell counts are used to assess the level of immunity of people with HIV / AIDS. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the results of the viral load examination with the results of the examination of the number of CD4 cells in patients with HIV / AIDS. This research can provide scientific information as a reference to increase knowledge about HIV / AIDS and decrease the level of immunity of people with HIV / AIDS. This research also provides insight into how to find out initial information about the body's immunity against new sufferers. Sampling was done by purposive sampling with inclusion criteria. Samples are new outpatients, aged 20-50 years and have received VCT (Voluntary counseling and testing). Sample is an HIV / AIDS positive HIV patient by conducting an HIV rapid test. Determination of the sample was also seen from the exclusion criteria of HIV / AIDS sufferers who had received ARV drug therapy. This research was an observational analytic study with a cross-sectional approach using quantitative analysis methods. Viral load examination uses the real time reverse transcriptase method - Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Examination of CD4 cell numbers using the flowcytometry method with the Alere PIMA tool. Data were analyzed by Rank Spearman correlation test. The results of the Viral load in patients with HIV / AIDS in the adult age group showed 9,000 copies / ml and at the end 960,000 copies / ml. The results of the viral load test in adult patients at the end are higher than at the beginning. Examination Results of the number of CD4 cells in patients with HIV / AIDS in the adult age group showed 586 cells / ul and at the end of 11 cells / ul. Examination Results of CD4 cell counts for adult sufferers show lower end than at baseline. Indications of the results of the examination showed the higher the amount of viral load, the number of cells CD4 will be lower than patients with HIV / AIDS. The implication of this research is a recommendation of viral load examination for detection new patient. The conclusion of this study is that there is a significant relationship between the results of the examination of viral load and the results of the examination of the number of CD4 cells in patients with HIV / AIDS.

High Incidence, Reinfections, and Active Syphilis in Populations Attending a Specialized HIV Clinic in Mexico, a Dynamic Cohort Study

Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection, has reemerged in many vulnerable groups around the world. The objective of the current study was to determine the prevalence and incidence of syphilis among people who attended a specialized HIV clinic in Mexico from 2011 to 2015. Databases from the laboratory were analyzed, and the following four groups were formed: people seeking HIV-1 voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), people in prison (PPr), people living with HIV (PLWH), and patients from primary care clinics (others). The diagnosis of syphilis was made using the reverse algorithm; antibody titers were examined to determine the stage of infection. Baseline data were analyzed and, with follow-up information, a retrospective dynamic cohort was formed. Factors associated with the seroprevalence of syphilis and active syphilis were evaluated by the chi-square test. Moreover, risk factors for the incidence of syphilis were described. A total of 81,863 baseline individuals were analyzed. The seroprevalence of syphilis was 9.9% in the VCT group, 8.2% in the PPr group, 37.0% in the PLWH group, and 8.7% in the others group; the prevalence of active syphilis was 1.7–13.1%. A total of 11,124 people were followed up. The incidence (cases per 100 person-years) was 3.5 among the VCT group, 16.0 among the PLWH group, and < 0.1 among both the PPr and others groups, respectively; moreover, the frequency of reinfections was 11.1–24.4%. The high prevalence and incidence of syphilis, active syphilis, and reinfections among men, transgender people, individuals aged 20–39 years, and people with a history of HIV or hepatitis B suggest that it is critical to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment measures to stop the reemergence of syphilis. There are also new factors such as methamphetamine use, group sex, or contacting partners over the internet that are associated with syphilis. In addition, HIV preexposure prophylaxis could contribute to the increased incidence of syphilis by providing false security in the prevention of STIs, thereby increasing risky sexual behaviors.

Willingness to Test for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection among First-Year Students of a Public University in the Volta Region of Ghana

Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) is key in HIV prevention. Young people aged 15–24 years carry a significant burden of new infections globally, but VCT uptake is low in this population. The study assessed university freshmen’s willingness to test for HIV now, among others, in a cross-sectional study as university campuses are places of risky sexual behaviour. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on age, sex, marital status, HIV/AIDS knowledge, previous history of testing, willingness to test now, and others. Summary statistics were reported while chi-square and logistic regression methods were used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables with p-values &lt; 0.05 held significant. About 90% (374/412) of respondents had good HIV/AIDS knowledge based on criteria defined by the study, but only 23.3% (96/412) had ever tested and 66.3% (266/401) were willing to test now for HIV. Respondents’ sex, previous sexual intercourse, and whether respondents’ educational support was from parents or non-parents influenced willingness to test for HIV now. The study highlights what appears to be personal beliefs that can potentially hinder HIV testing and control efforts. Relevant stakeholders must address these gaps to improve testing. Further qualitative investigation will improve understanding of the dynamics informing willingness to test for HIV among young people generally.

Costs and cost-effectiveness of HIV counselling and testing modalities in Southern Mozambique

ObjectiveDespite the high HIV associated burden, Mozambique lacks data on HIV counselling and testing (HCT) costs. To help guide national HIV/AIDS programs, we estimated the cost per test for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) from the patient’s perspective and the costs per person tested and per HIV-positive individual linked to care to the healthcare provider for VCT, provider-initiated counselling and testing (PICT) and home-based testing (HBT). We also assessed the cost-effectiveness of these strategies for linking patients to care.MethodsData from a cohort study conducted in the Manhiça District were used to derive costs and linkage-to-care outcomes of the three HCT strategies. A decision tree was used to model HCT costs according to the likelihood of HCT linking individuals to care and to obtain the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of PICT and HBT with VCT as the comparator. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess robustness of base-case findings.FindingsBased on costs and valuations in 2015, average and median VCT costs to the patient per individual tested were US$1.34 and US$1.08, respectively. Costs per individual tested were greatest for HBT (US$11.07), followed by VCT (US$7.79), and PICT (US$7.14). The costs per HIV-positive individual linked to care followed a similar trend. PICT was not cost-effective in comparison with VCT at a willingness-to-accept threshold of US$4.53, but only marginally given a corresponding base-case ICER of US$4.15, while HBT was dominated, with higher costs and lower impact than VCT. Base-case results for the comparison between PICT and VCT presented great uncertainty, whereas findings for HBT were robust.ConclusionPICT and VCT are likely equally cost-effective in Manhiça. We recommend that VCT be offered as the predominant HCT strategy in Mozambique, but expansion of PICT could be considered in limited-resource areas. HBT without facilitated linkage or reduced costs is unlikely to be cost-effective.

Assessment of HIV/AIDS Service Quality Using SERVQUAL Model in Iran: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the quality of services provided in Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) centers from the perspective of clients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) in Shiraz, Iran, in 2019. The data were collected using a SERVQUAL questionnaire. Results: The mean scores of expected and perceived service qualities were 4.81 (95% CI: 4.741 - 4.864) and 3.96 (95% CI: 3.901 - 4.019) in male subjects and 4.85 (95% CI: 4.80 - 4.89) and 4.09 (95% CI: 4.01 - 4.135) in female subjects, respectively. There was a significant difference between the expectations and perceptions of clients in all dimensions of service quality in VCT centers. The gaps in the dimensions of responsiveness and empathy were greater than all other dimensions. Conclusions: Due to the high dissatisfaction of PLWH with the quality of services in the responsiveness, accessibility, and empathy dimensions, priority should be given to these dimensions in any improvement effort. The low education level of this group should be taken into account for any educational programs to be successful.

Non-disclosed men who have sex with men within local MSM HIV-1 genetic transmission networks in Guangyuan, China.

BackgroundMost men who have sex with men (MSM), especially those with HIV infection, do not disclose their same-sex behaviors in China due to Chinese family values and fear of stigmatization, rejection, or prejudice. However, disclosure of same-sex behaviors to healthcare providers (HCPs) can be beneficial for reducing viral transmission and promoting their physical and mental health. In this study, by combining phylogenetic analysis with traditional epidemiological approaches, we tried to identify the MSM who do not disclose to HCPs in transmission networks and explored the factors related to the non-disclosed behaviors.MethodPhylogenetic analysis was conducted using HIV pol sequences obtained from the drug-resistant surveillance program, which was collected as part of routine clinical care since 2012. Sequences were linked to the demographic data collected in the Chinese HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Response Information Management System (CRIMS). First, male patients in whom genetic sequences were within the molecular transmission clusters involving self-reported MSM were identified as potential MSM (pMSM). Then, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to supplement behavioral information and attitudes toward MSM.ResultsOur sample consisted of 190 pMSM patients. In total, 43.16% of the patients were likely to conceal same-sex behaviors during the first-self-report, and 14.73% of patients might continue to conceal a history of same-sex behaviors even after receiving medical care. The pMSM who concealed their same-sex behaviors were reluctant to accept medical services such as Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) and had a lower likelihood of condom use. In addition, the related factors for non-disclosed behavior were associated with current address, income before diagnosis, and attitudes toward MSM.ConclusionNon-disclosure of same-sex behaviors to HCPs may be a major obstacle for certain medical services for MSM who exhibit risky sexual behaviors. The pMSM from developing areas, with high monthly income, and with neutral or un-supportive attitudes toward MSM may represent non-disclosure of their same-sex behaviors. Thus, policies facilitating MSM to disclose their same-sex behaviors are recommended, such as legislations protecting homosexual rights on employment, education, marriage, and so on.

Utilization of Voluntary Counseling and Testing Experience among Mizan-Tepi University Students in Southwestern Ethiopia.

Background Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is the primary gateway to HIV prevention, caution, and handling, where people learn whether they are infected. This study was aimed to assess the determinants of voluntary counseling and testing experience among students. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted between November and January, 2020. A simple random sampling procedure was used to select participants from the target group. The Chi-square test, descriptive analysis, and a binary logistic regression analysis were used to identify the factors associated with VCT experience among students. Results Out of 398 participants, 42.5% experienced VCT services. From 59.5% of female participants in the study, only 22.9% experienced VCT services. The logistic regression results revealed that male participants less likely experienced VCT (AOR = 0.549; 95%CI: 0.330, 0.910; p=0.020) compared to female students. Students who had VCT service access in their surroundings (AOR = 2.348; 95%CI: 1.371, 4.020; p=0.002), a sexual partner (AOR = 3.795; 95%CI: 1.214, 11.868; p=0.022), and media access (AOR = 2.374; 95%CI: 1.059, 5.320; p=0.036) were more likely to utilize VCT services than their reference categories. Conclusions VCT utilization among students remains limited. In this study, sex, age, region, the education of mother and father, having boy/girlfriend, the source of information, service access, media access, and attitude were the identified factors of VCT utilization. To enhance the usage of VCT services, the facilities should be publicized, and all information regarding VCT should be made available to teenagers.

Digital technology and HIV, HCV and STI voluntary counselling and testing: good practice example from Croatia.

The aim of this paper is to introduce the digitalization process and its effects on better reach of the target population. Progress in the digitalization and e-health tools worldwide enables new opportunities in prevention, diagnostics and treatment for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and people in the risk of HIV infection, hepatitis C (HCV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The system already used for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) at the CheckPoint Centre Zagreb run by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Croatian Association for HIV and Viral Hepatitis (CAHIV) was upgraded and adapted (due to the COVID-19 prevention epidemiological measures) and developed for implementation of the pilot project of feasibility and acceptability of home HIV self-testing (HIVST) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Zagreb. A special feature of the HIVST mobile application enables an innovative approach in collecting clients' test result feedback. This paper presents the method of use digitalization of the VCT and HIVST activities to support and increase availability of screening testing. Described procedures of new technologies application in VCT services and preliminary results of the HIVST pilot project indicate that technology-delivered interventions can contribute and improve access and utilisation of HIV/STI prevention and care services.

Effect of behavioral intervention based on social media to promote HIV/syphilis testing in young men who have sex with men

Objective: To evaluate the effect of social media based behavioral intervention on promoting joint testing of HIV and syphilis in young men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: After the recruitment, the participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided (1∶1) into two groups, i.e. social media intervention group and control group. The control group was given routine voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services. The intervention group was also given VCT services, besides; the comprehensive strategies through social media, including regular health education message and testing information sending, were given to them to strengthen the behavioral intervention. Follow up was conducted for the participants for 12 months after the intervention. The number and the proportion of young MSM receiving HIV and syphilis testing, and the reported proportion of the young MSM with sexually transmitted diseases (STD) symptoms between the intervention group and the control group were compared to evaluate the effect of the intervention. Results: A total of 315 young MSM were recruited (158 in the intervention group and 157 in the control group), in whom 248 young MSM completed the follow up. The follow-up rate was 78.7%. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the intervention group and the control group (all P>0.05). The proportion of young MSM receiving more than one joint testing in the intervention group was slightly higher than that in the control group (53.2% vs. 48.4%, rate difference (RD): 4.8%, 95%CI: -7.5%-17.0%, P=0.448) without significant difference. However, in the young MSM who used condoms in the last anal sex, the proportion of those receiving more than one joint testing in the intervention group was higher than that in the control group (63.8% vs. 46.1%, RD: 17.7%, 95%CI: 1.5%-32.6%, P=0.035). In addition, the reported proportion of young MSM with STD symptoms in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (6.3% vs. 18.0%,RD: -11.7%, 95%CI: -20.6%- -3.0%, P=0.005). Conclusion: Compared with routine VCT, social media based behavioral intervention might promote joint HIV and syphilis testing in the young MSM who used condom in the study. It could significantly reduce the reporting proportion of STD symptoms, suggesting that this method can promote the AIDS and STD prevention related behaviors in young MSM.

The Role of Pregnant Women's Perception and Social Support on the Utilization of VCT Services

Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) is an HIV/AIDS prevention program that has high evidence of effectiveness, especially for individuals who have HIV/AIDS risk behaviors. The behavior of using VCT services can be seen from the influence of perceptions and social support. This study has the purpose to analyze the correlation between perceptions and social support of pregnant women with the behavior of using VCT services in Banyuwangi. The method used in this study is an analytical observational with a cross-sectional research design. The population of this study was pregnant women in the Kembiritan, Sobo, Genteng Kulon, Kertosari, Singojuruh, and Singotrunan in the range of May - to November 2018. The sampling technique used was proportional random sampling. Most of the respondents have a bad perception that is 51. 6%. The majority of respondents have poor social support, namely 84.1%. The percentage of respondents who have good perceptions and behaviors in utilizing VCT services is 62.4%. Meanwhile, 60.1% of respondents who have social support and good behavior use VCT.

Voluntary Counseling and Testing, Antiretroviral Therapy Access, and HIV-Related Stigma: Global Progress and Challenges.

To date, about 37 million people are living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and an estimated 680,000 people have died from acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) related illnesses globally. While all countries have been impacted by HIV, some have been significantly more impacted than others, particularly countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this paper was to identify progress made in HIV prevention globally, particularly in the areas of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) uptake, access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and HIV-related stigma. With the development of ART, a cocktail of medications for the treatment of HIV, VCT uptake increased, as it became apparent that the medication would only be prescribed after an HIV diagnosis through testing. Widely considered a critical gateway to HIV prevention and treatment, VCT is being implemented in many countries, and as a result, about 38 million people living with HIV in 2018 had access to ART. Regardless of this success, major challenges still remain. We did an electronic search of 135 articles in English related to global HIV progress and challenges indexed in PubMed, ResearchGate, Google, and other search engines from 1998 to 2021. Sixty articles met the inclusion criteria for this paper. Data on trends in ART coverage were obtained from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) website. These data were used to show ART coverage globally in World Health Organization (WHO) regions. It was found that while global successes have been chalked in the areas of VCT uptake and ART coverage, HIV-related stigma has impeded greater success. This paper summarizes and discusses global successes and challenges in HIV prevention efforts in the past four decades with a focus on VCT, ART, and HIV-related stigma.

HIV/AIDS KNOWLEDGE AND UTILISATION OF HCT UPTAKE AMONG MUSLIM YOUTH IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA

Nigeria has the third highest population of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Despite this, the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and uptake of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) is still low, especially in the rural areas. This study assessed knowledge of HIV/AIDS and uptake of VCT among Muslim youths in a community in Oyo State, Nigeria. A pretested questionnaire was administered on a cross-section of 309 Muslim youth attending a religious programme in Iseyin town, Nigeria. Information about knowledge of HIV/AIDS and uptake of VCT was elicited among respondents. The majority of respondents did not know the need to assess and why VCT; however, knowledge of route of disease transmission was high, with majority mentioning sexual activity and unscreened blood transfusion, respectively, as possible transmission routes. Respondents listed avoidance of premarital sex, outlawing prostitution, and screening of blood before transfusion as protective measures respectively. Reasons for rejection of VCT included fear of stigma, marital disharmony, incurable nature of the disease and Islamic belief that HIV is most common among youth that are not religious because Islam is already against sexual intimacy before marriage.

Viral Load And Cd4+ among Hiv/Aids Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy In Jayawijaya District, Papua Province, Indonesia

Hightlight:Clinical conditions, CD4+ cell counts, and the viral copies number in the blood for AIDS/HIV were given antiretroviral therapy.The profile of CD4+ levels and plasma viral load in HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapyThe lower CD4+ cell counts and higher viral loads happen in HIV-infected’s men. Abstract:Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is expected to reduce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) morbidity and mortality. Antiretroviral therapy in HIV patients is given based on clinical conditions, CD4+ cell counts, and the number of viral copies in the blood. This study aimed to determine the profile of CD4+ levels and plasma viral load in HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. This was a cross-sectional study conducted within six months at Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) in Jayawijaya Hospital, Papua, Indonesia. The CD4+ levels were measured using CD4+ counter and viral plasma was checked using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for 90 patients. The results showed more female patients had a CD4+ level &lt;200 cells/mm3, a higher number of copies of the virus in the blood plasma, and stages of disease 3 and 4. Statistically, there was a significant relationship between CD4+ levels and gender with a p-value = 0.00. HIV-infected males were more likely to have lower CD4+ cell counts and higher viral loads than females.

ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT VCT PADA WANITA PEKERJA SEKS DI PUSKESMAS KABUPATEN PEMALANG DALAM SAAT PANDEMI COVID-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) program for female sex workers (WPS) as evidenced by a decrease in the use of VCT in FSW. Therefore, the existence of COVID-19 requires adaptation to program sustainability (adaptive management). The purpose of this study was to find out adaptive management VCT in female sex workers at the Pemalang District Health Center in the Covid-19 pandemic situation. This type of qualitative research uses the focus group discussion (FGD) method to collect data related to the adaptive VCT on female sex workers at the primary health care in the Covid-19 pandemic situation. Participants involved in the FGDs were stakeholders in the management of the VCT HIV program for female sex workers. Data analysis using content analysis method (content analysis). The results showed that the adaptive carried out is not doing mobile VCT, VCT at the primary health care with health protocols, delivering test results via SMS, not doing post-test counseling. Challenges and obstacles in adapting to VCT at the primary health care are the interest of women sex workers to do VCT at the primary health care still low, the counseling provided is limited, women sex workers do not understand the test results, and the risk of messages being not opened. Design improvements based on ideas and ideas are through health promotion with social media, some from the community of female sex workers being role models, owners (pimps) requiring regular VCT FSW at the primary health care, running mobile VCT (6 months) with a health protocol, counselors must be able to provide information that is easy to understand, clear and concise, can use the telephone to convey test results.