Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) is an essential component of HIV/AIDS prevention efforts and also widely acknowledged to be an entry point to early treatment, care and support for the already infected. VCT is also believed to offer strong motivation for those who test negative to remain so. 

VCT provides an opportunity for people to know their HIV status and consists of a package of services including pre-test counseling, the actual test for HIV and post-test counseling services. Irrespective of the results or outcome of a test, the client obtains information that could translate into behaviour change if the test result is negative so as to remain negative. On the other hand if test results turn out to be positive, it offers one the opportunity for early treatment and to also live healthy for a longer time. With the advent of anti retro-viral therapy, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are able to live much more productive and healthy lives. VCT promotes a wider social acceptance of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In fact negative test result is believed to motivate behaviour change. This therefore underpins the importance for more people to take advantage of VCT services. Unfortunately just 5% of people living with HIV/AIDS are estimated to be aware of their HIV status.  (WHO, 2004)

Although the benefits of VCT are enormous, many more people are not willing to know their HIV status. Surveys conducted in Kintampo North and South Districts by the Kintampo Health Research Centre (KHRC) however show otherwise.  A survey conducted among 11,604 respondents in 2007 observed that 93% were willing to know their HIV status.

Unfortunately, there are only two VCT service provision points in the two districts located at the Kintampo District Hospital and Jema Hospital. By virtue of their location, most VCT clients come with diagnostic requests from clinicians of patients who report to the hospitals for treatment.

These two districts by virtue of their strategic central location in the country along the main highway linking the north to the southern parts of the country as well as neighbouring countries have become a stop over point for long distance travelers particularly drivers of long axle vehicles. These drivers often times pass a night or two in Kintampo town and along settlements on the main high way within the district.  This practice puts the populace at a great risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS.

It is no wonder that the HIV prevalence from the national sentinel survey for Kintampo is often above the national prevalence. The current (2007) HIV prevalence for Kintampo is 3.0 whilst the national prevalence is 2.6. In 2005 and 2006, the prevalence in Kintampo was 3.1 and 3.5 respectively whilst the national prevalence was 2.7 and 3.2 for the same period.  

Other HIV related services in the Kintampo District Hospital are routine counseling and testing as well as treatment for prevention of mother to child transmission. Anti retro-viral services are also available at the hospital.

In view of the great willingness of inhabitants of the two districts to know their HIV status coupled with the high risk of sexual transmission including HIV, it is high time that VCT services are made more accessible to the populace. Increasing access to VCT services is therefore a need that all concerned should help address. Provision of ART and other support services should also be readily available for those who may need them.  

Contact: livesy.abokyi@ghana-khrc.org

Monday,02 June, 2008