Resolved that government/public resources for HIV prevention in the developing world should not be directed toward the provision of HIV counseling and testing services: arguments for resolution.
Int Conf AIDS 1996 Jul 7-12; 11:36 (abstract no. We.14) Ungphakorn J; AIDS Counseling Centres, Education and Support Services (ACCESS), Bangkok, Thailand. Fax: 66-2-248-4857.
The problem with proliferation of HIV counseling and testing centres with regard to HIV prevention is that HIV testing itself is a questionable tool for promoting prevention, as it diverts attention from the need for universal precautions in sexual practices. HIV testing is only really of use in terms of prevention for individuals who have discontinued or substantially reduced their risk behaviour. With the counseling attached to the test, many of those who might benefit more from preventive counseling, particularly women, are reluctant to make use of the service. For the developing world, directing public funds toward provision of these costly services diverts valuable resources from proven prevention strategies such as condom promotion and distribution, participatory preventive education, and STD management. It is proposed that by reducing such services to minimum need levels are charging for the test, preventive counseling without the distraction of testing can be reallocated to more attractive settings accessible to a wider target population. At the same time, well designed education programs can also play a role similar to preventive counseling, but more cost efficiently.
Keywords: AEGIS, Counseling, Health Resources, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Condoms, Risk-Taking, Resin Cements, Communication, Interpersonal Relations, Health Services Needs and Demand, HIV Seroprevalence, Anti-HIV Agents, Direct, Human, Female, prevention & control, ICA11
