“HIV Counseling and Testing
(HCT) uptake in a Medical Male
Circumcision (MMC) Setting”
CYNTHIA NHLAPO
SOCIETY FOR FAMILY HEALTH: SOUTH AFRICA
ICASA 2O11: ADDIS ABABA
BACKGROUND
• VCT was provided as an add-on service.
HCT up take was low.
• PICT guidelines were developed in 2009 and
integrated into VMMC.
• All counsellors were trained.
METHOD
• VMMC
was
then
provided
comprehensive package.
as
a
• All Clients are offered this comprehensive
package
• Data from 2008 to 2010 was used in
comparing HCT uptake pre and post
introduction of PICT.
RESULTS
• HIV testing rates among
males seeking MMC was
below 50%.
One on One MMC Counselling
• HIV testing rates increased
to over 95% after integrating PICT.
Table 1: HCT uptake in a VMMC setting
Men Tested
Men
circumcised
HCT uptake
rate
2008
2009
2010
1494
3097
3958
4923
9330
4134
33%
95.7%
30%
The table depicts HCT uptake as consistently below 50% before PICT
was introduced but once all VMMC counsellors were trained on PICT
the uptake went up to an average of 95%.
RESULTS (CONT.)
• Consent for testing was given once men
got to know the benefits of HIV Testing
pre operatively
• The VMMC clinic tested more men who
requested circumcision for HIV than the
numbers that actually circumcised.
LESSONS LEARNT
PICT integration strengthens VMMC programmes by
increasing the HIV testing rate.
Integrating HCT in VMMC
counselling demystifies HIV
testing and reduces fears
associated with it.
VMMC counsellors trained on PICT helps ensure
adherence to protocols and quality of service.
STAFF OF SFH VMMC CLINIC
KEYA LEBOHA
Acknowledgements