THE POTENTIAL REQUIREMENT FOR HIV COUNSELING AND VOLUNTARY TESTING INWOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE

This paper compares estimates of the potential HIV counselling and tes ting requirements in a genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic, where a f ormal HIV counselling service is provided, and in an antenatal clinic (ANC), where there is no formal HIV counselling service. Data were col lected by means of questionnaires completed by women attending both cl inics. Only 31% and 16% of counselling needs were being met at the GUM clinic and antenatal clinic respectively. At the GUM clinic 11% of re spondents had had an HIV antibody test, and at the antenatal clinic 1% had been tested. In contrast 68% and 58% of respondents at the GUM an d antenatal clinics respectively would accept the offer of an HIV anti body test. In low prevalence areas the universal offer of testing woul d greatly increase specialist counselling requirements, but alternativ e models of provision and selective testing may lead to a more efficie nt use of resources.