P. Phanuphak et al., KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR AMONG HIV-POSITIVE AND HIV-NEGATIVECLIENTS OF A CONFIDENTIAL HIV COUNSELING AND TESTING CENTER IN THAILAND, AIDS, 8(9), 1994, pp. 1315-1319
Objective: To describe the clients, operation and impact of an Asian p
ublic HIV counselling and testing centre. Design and setting: Analysis
of samples from clients attending the Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic
(TRC-AC) in Bangkok, Thailand in 1993. Subjects: HIV-positive and HIV
-negative consecutive clients (250 of each). Main outcome measures: HI
V seroprevalence rates, knowledge, attitudes and behaviour. Results: O
verall HIV-1 prevalence was 16%; 13% in men and 24% in women. Reasons
for requesting an HIV test were high-risk behaviour (21%), feeling unw
ell (20%), checking a previous HIV test result (18%), a planned marria
ge or new relationship (10%), and planning a baby (5%). Heterosexual r
isk behaviour was reported by 85% of clients, while in each case only
1% reported male homosexual or intravenous drug use risk behaviour. Fa
ctors associated with HIV infection on univariate analysis included a
history of sexually transmitted disease, not using condoms, a low leve
l of education and salary, and being female. Knowledge about HIV trans
mission risks and AIDS prevention measures was good, and most clients
expressed a caring attitude towards people with HIV and AIDS. A former
negative HIV test result was associated with higher levels of condom
use, and most clients expressed the intention to reduce their HIV risk
behaviour in response to a positive or negative HIV test result (more
so if positive). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the demand for a
nd the feasibility of confidential HIV counselling and testing service
s in Thailand and illustrates the value of these services in achieving
behaviour changes. Such services should be considered as an additiona
l approach for reducing HIV transmission in Asia, especially in areas
with high HIV seroprevalence rates.