For over 20 years, client-initiated HIV testing and counselling, also known as voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), has helped millions of people learn their HIV status. Nevertheless, global coverage of HIV testing and counselling programmes remains low. Efforts are urgently needed to increase the provision of HIV testing through a wider range of effective and safe options.
In 2007, WHO and UNAIDS issued guidance on provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling (PITC) in health facilities to support increased uptake and improve access to HIV prevention, treatment and care. HIV counselling and testing (HTC) is a critical entry point to life-sustaining care for people with HIV, a key element of Treatment 2.0 and essential for prevention of vertical HIV transmission.
Currently the majority of people are still unaware of their HIV status and HTC services need to be expanded in antenatal care, STI and TB clinics, and other clinical settings as well as through outreach for most at risk populations, home-based HTC, testing campaigns and client-initiated testing centres.
People who test HIV negative should also be supported and receive counselling on how to reduce exposure to HIV.
HTC for couples should also be promoted and expanded within a human rights framework because of the high frequency of serodiscordancy and the important potential to reduce transmission in serodiscordant couples. Sharing serostatus allows couples to plan, make important life decisions, and to seek care and support together.
