Current Situation Assessment And Strategy Research Of HIV Voluntary Counseling And Testing

Research BackgroundIt had been getting along with the state of low-efficiency while the work of HIV voluntarycounseling and testing(VCT) being put into practice in China since 2004. In order to renderscience foundation for policy adjusting, and improve the role of VCT playing in AIDS control,it's urgent to give an evaluation to present status and influence factors of VCT on the whole.Research Purposes1. To assess the current situation of VCT in China and the requirement of VCT among thetarget groups, and study the factors influencing on efficient operation of VCT.2. Try to set up a model county, and explore the strategies and methods of VCT work fittingChina in practice.Research Methods1. Using the method of type sampling, nine representative areas were abstracted as theresearch regions from China. The present situation data of VCT in the last three years wascollected. By way of field observation and material inspection, the operation informations of43 VCT clinics selected were gathered. Through quota sampling, 838 demimondaines, 312MSMs, 282 patients suffering STD, 711 drug users and 951 young students were abstracted toaccept anonymous questionnaire survey. The above data collected was analyzed qualitativelyand quantitatively.2. Qichun county Hubei province was selected as the region of practice research. By guidingthe rebuilding of the local VCT service system, the work methods and strategies wereadjusted and optimized constantly. By way of contrasting the pre and the post, the projecteffects were assessed on the whole, and the experience was summarized.Research Results1. In nine sampling districts, the average density of VCT clinics was 5.48 per millionpopulation. Among 322 professionals dealing with VCT, only 9.94% were full-time. During 2004 to 2006, the growth rate of service person-time yearly achieved 751.67%.2. In 2006, 51.16% of 43 VCT clinics sampled had served less than 100 person-times per year.3. Evaluating the answer quality of 43 counseling telephones, 51.16% were "poor".4. Testing to 60 counsellors about AIDS knowledge, the average score was (74.07±23.42),and 26.67% of them failed it. Only 3.33% of Counsellors were satisfied by the pay.5. Among 3094 respondents, 67.16% had not even made use of VCT before, 43.37% didn'tknow VCT information, 81.97% thought VCT being necessary, 50.78% never worried aboutthemselves to be infected by HIV, and 39.88% thought it being unnecessary for themselves toaccept HIV testing. Logistic regression model shew that improper realization to HIV infectionrisk, not knowing VCT information, lower level of AIDS knowledge, etc, were main factorsobstructing voluntary utilization of VCT service among the target groups.6. Compared with the prior year, the specification and efficiency of VCT work in Qichuncounty had been improved greatly aider implementing project activities.Conclusion and Suggestion1. Many links of VCT system in our country were still imperfect, mainly as follows: Seriouswaste of resources existed in VCT network's construction, and the efficiency in most of VCTclinics was very low. The propagandas were lack of direction and couldn't promote targetgroups to make full use of VCT service. The fund supporting was not enough for most of theVCT clinics, which affecting the motivation of staffs and institutions. Due to lack of effectiverestrict mechanisms, the supervision was short of power. The uneven quality of professionalstaff resulted in VCT service non-normative.2. To promote VCT work effectively, the policy suggestions are given as below. The first, thegovernment should play a leading role and strengthen the coordination work in VCT.Secondly, the construction of VCT network should be based on scientific evaluation and fullcost benefit analysis so as to reduce resource waste. The third, the secondly assignment offund for AIDS prevention and control should be inclined to the basic level personnel andinstitutions of VCT service. Furthermore, diverse VCT propagandas should be positivelydeveloped to promote the spread of knowledge and information and enhance theconsciousness and initiative of the target groups using VCT service. Finally, training work forbasic level staffs should be strengthened, and the work of supervision and evaluation shouldbe carried out in a deep-going way, so as to improve the specification of VCT service.