What is a VCT?

Is is a confidential, free, voluntary and anonymous service located within specific NGOs, whereby high risk individuals can speak with a qualified professional. The service offers information and brochures about HIV/AIDS and STIs, HIV testing (Pre and post test counselling), and referrals to health care and social services (where required).

Goals

Voluntary Counselling and Testing centres have several goals: Prevention of HIV/AIDS transmission, decreasing HIV related stigma and discrimination and case finding.

What happens during a service session at a VCT centre?

·         Pre-test Counselling

 In the pre test counselling, the counsellor with the help of the client will assess the behavioural/ social risk factors that the client might have been exposed to.  The counsellor will enquire about the time of exposure to the HIV virus, as the window period is extremely important for assessing the accuracy of HIV test results. In addition, the counsellor will explain the meaning of a positive or negative test for HIV/AIDS so that the client can make an informed decision. The counsellor will also provide adequate information and present a tailored harm reduction plan to the VCT service seeker.

·         HIV test

The counsellor performs an HIV test for the service seeker using a Rapid test (Rapid Anti-HIV 1&2 Test). This is a simple (only a drop of blood needed) and highly accurate test that detects the presence of HIV antibodies present in the blood.

·         Post-test Counselling

In the post test counselling the client will be informed of his/her test results. Accordingly the counsellor and client will decide on the harm reduction plan and where he/she needs to be referred to (if required).