Open AccessVoluntary HIV Counseling and Testing: Experience Among the Sexually Active Population in Bangui, Central African Republic
Author(s) -
Gérard Grésenguet,
Jean Séhonou,
Bouba Bassirou,
Jean De Dieu Longo,
Jean-Elie Malkin,
Tom Brogan,
Laurent Bélec
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.162
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1944-7884
pISSN - 1525-4135
DOI - 10.1097/00126334-200209010-00014
Subject(s) - voluntary counseling and testing , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , sexually active , population , medicine , family medicine , demography , environmental health , health services , sociology , health facility
In July 1997, the National Reference Center for Sexually Transmitted Diseases of Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR), was expanded by the creation of an anonymous and voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) unit for HIV infection, the Anonymous Surveillance Unit (Unité de Dépistage Anonyme [UDA]). The goal of the UDA was to initiate and promote voluntary HIV testing in the general adult population of Bangui. We carried out an observational and comprehensive survey over a 4-year period to document and analyze the experience of VCT in the UDA, with special attention to risk factors associated with HIV infection.