confidential HIV testing and counselling

How to build a programme
The most recommended way to go about prevention is to provide a comprehensive package of
care, including information and education, life skills training, condom distribution, access to
clean needles and syringes, voluntary and confidential HIV testing and counselling, referrals for
a variety of treatment options and more.
Know the target group
It is important to know the group you are working with. Do not let lack of information stop you
from getting started, however keep in mind that the more you know, the more chances you will
have to reach your target group.
Before you start, try to get as much information as possible about: their demographics,
injecting behaviour and patterns, sexual behaviour and the HIV/AIDS situation in their
population.
Staff
Staff who are going to work with young IDUs should be open, non-judgmental, understanding,
sensitive and respectful.Staff can be users, ex-users or non-users. Each group has advantages and disadvantages that
should be considered.
Using peers to talk to youth is considered a useful and important method in prevention
programmes. Young people are likely to listen to their peers more than to adults.
Planning and involving youth
Involving youth is a key aspect of a programme targeted at youth. They can help design the
programme in the most appropriate way.
Youth can, and have been successfully involved in all aspects of programmes, from planning
and developing the programme to implementation.
When youth are involved in planning and implementing a programme, they feel a sense of
ownership and responsibility towards the project.
Community
Support from local authorities and communities has been shown to be very important. Try to
consider which groups or people could help you or could create resistance to your project.
For example, police and law enforcement officials could be a barrier to reaching young people.
Contact these authorities and talk to them about your project.
The general population may have reservations concerning work with IDUs due to stigma and
stereotypes. Try to build partnerships and to involve the community at large when possible.
Since IDUs are often contacted through outreach, it will be difficult to have contact to their
families, considering that their confidentiality is a high priority. However, when possible,
involving the family is a positive step.HIV testing and counselling: Voluntary HIV testing is an important aspect of prevention and
it should be encouraged. Counselling before and after the test is vital to help youth understand
the meaning of their results and its consequences.