Provider-initiated Testing and Counselling Programmes in sub-Saharan Africa

Date: 3/19/2013
Creator: Rebecca Hershow
Source: AIDS
Date of Publication: 2013
Source Type: Literature
Link: Article

Summary:
Roura’s systematic review (co-authored by GRS Research Advisor, David Ross) examines the impact of provider-initiated testing and counseling (PITC) programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. PITC requires a health provider to systematically offer HIV testing and counseling to all health facility users, unless they refuse. The PITC approach was first initiated in June 2007 by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. This systematic review found that PITC has greatly increased testing uptake and identification of HIV-positive individuals. However, the systematic review also found  a poor linkage of HIV-positive cases with follow-up assessments and antiretroviral treatment.

Implications:
GRS HIV testing tournaments and SKILLZ Street testing events are great opportunities to identify HIV positive individuals in a safe space. However, we need to work on successfully bridging these individuals to a clinic for follow-up counseling and antiretroviral treatment.  If PITC programmes  – which take place in the context of a healthcare facility – are having trouble linking clients to follow-up treatment, then GRS has to put in a significant effort to work successfully within the health systems in place.