Abstract
Models of HIV counseling and testing service for general population: a review
Waranya Rattanavipapong* and Yot Teerawattananon*
*Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP), Ministry of Public Health In spite of the policy of expanding HIV testing coverage to all adults up to 65 years of age being recommended by international organizations, social and ethical concerns related to HIV testing exist, including discrimination, stigma and human rights protection. The study reviewed service models of HIV testing in the general population to identify the appropriate and effective approaches towards achieving high uptake of testing among general population in Thailand. There are two voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) service models: facility- and community -based services. The acceptance rate ranged from
11% – 95% for facility-based VCT and from 51% – 83% for community-based VCT. Provider-initiated VCT was not only effective in offering VCT to general population, but also cost-effective for people aged 13-50 years. PIVCT should thus be performed in all healthcare facilities in Thailand, while further research on other approaches are recommended.
