Prosser WM, Gimbel-Sherr SO, Gimbel-Sherr KH, Micek MA, Coutinho J, Henrique EG, Mercedes D, Mercer MA, Gloyd S; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. TuPeC4878.
Health Alliance International, Maputo, Mozambique
Issues: Voluntary testing and counseling (VCT) is an important behavior change intervention, and a primary entry point to care and support. To be most effective, replicable models of targeting vulnerable groups, such as uninfected youth, are needed. Description: Over 50 VCT sites have opened in Mozambique since 2001. To make these services more user-friendly, the MOH has integrated VCT into youth-friendly clubhouses (YFCs) to provide targeted counseling and testing services by trained youth counselors. These YFCs also provide information supporting safe sex, including abstinence. Lessons learned: Results from 3 youth VCT and 3 general VCT sites located within the same health facilities indicate that lower-risk youth populations seek testing at youth-specific sites, and that girls are at a higher risk than boys at these sites. Though the mean age of youth and adolescents<24 seeking testing was not substantially different (18 for youth VCT vs. 19 for general VCT), the youth VCT sites had a lower average sero-prevalence (5%) than youth tested at general sites (19%). More youth seek testing at the general VCT sites than at the youth VCT sites (average monthly uptake of 147 vs. 67). Specific to youth VCT, girls were 3 times more likely than boys to be HIV+ (9% vs.3%). Focus groups carried out at youth VCT sites suggest that these youth prefer the youth-targeted sites as they or their friends regularly attend YFC services. Recommendations: Youth-targeted VCT attracted a different population than traditional VCT. It represents an effective strategy for identifying vulnerable, uninfected youth who can especially benefit from prevention and abstinence efforts. However, more effort is required to increase uptake to levels seen at traditional VCT. Given the higher sero-prevalence rates at traditional VCT sites, efforts must be made to reinforce linkages with ongoing care and support services.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adolescent
- Behavior
- Counseling
- Female
- HIV
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seroprevalence
- Humans
- Male
- Mozambique
- Prevalence
- Research Design
- Risk-Taking
- Sexual Behavior
- methods
- psychology
- therapy
Other ID:
UI: 102282693
From Meeting Abstracts