Voluntary Confidential Counselling and Testing (VCCT) for HIV

NSEP: A fixed place can also serve as a needle exchange site, as well as a place for condom
distribution.
Recreation: television, games and other recreational activities could be available.
Information, education and communication materials (IEC): Of course any fixed place where
you are stationed should have information brochures about HIV and AIDS, safe injecting
practices, safe sexual practices, treatment services, legal rights and so on.
According to a United Nations inter agency group for South Eastern Europe on youth and HIV,
the essential elements of any YFHS are:
General health (endemic diseases, injuries, TB, malaria).
Sexual and reproductive health
(STI, contraceptives, management of pregnancy, post-abortion care).
Voluntary Confidential Counselling and Testing (VCCT) for HIV.
Management of sexual and domestic violence.
Mental health services.
Substance abuse (alcohol, tobacco, illicit substances and injecting drug use).
Information and counselling on a range of issues
(sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, hygiene, substance use).
HIV testing and counselling
Voluntary counselling and testing is an important aspect of prevention. Youth, who have
become aware of the risks of HIV, through your programme or through public awareness or
friends having become sick with AIDS or through any other way, may want to get tested for
HIV. Often they will be worried and anxious, especially if they feel they are at high risk of
having the virus and need counselling to help them get through this time. Knowledge of the
HIV status can help modify behaviours to prevent transmission of the virus. It can also be
important to improve the general health and in seeking treatment for opportunistic infections.
Your group can refer IDUs to HIV testing facilities, or can discuss with them the possibilities of
getting tested. IDUs should be encouraged to get tested.
The HIV test is a blood test that screens for the presence of antibodies that have developed
in response to the HIV. There is a period between infection and when the test can show that a
person is infected—this is the “window period” (this can last 2 weeks to 6 months) during
which a person will test negative although they do carry the virus.
Counselling before HIV-testing helps young people assess their risk, decide whether to be tested
and consider the meaning of the positive or negative test result. The person can also discuss
their fears or concerns and it can also help to clarify why taking the test is a good idea (not all
individuals will admit to high risk behaviours and may consider themselves out of risk).