JHPIEGO TrainerNews™ |
JHPIEGO Develops and Pilot Tests VCT
Learning Package
(August 2002)
Recently, JHPIEGO completed a preliminary version of a voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) learning package. The package is based on a structured protocol for counseling that was developed and tested by the Global AIDS Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. VCT materials developed by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs were also adapted.
The counseling protocol was developed to train large numbers of counselors in low-resource settings. It can be used to train lay persons and volunteers as well as counselors and providers. It was designed to be used with Rapid testing but was adapted (during the training course described below) for use with more traditional testing such as ELISA--with the risk reduction counseling taking place prior to testing because many clients do not return for their results.
The learning package was pilot tested at two 5-day VCT updates in Jamaica. Training was conducted at the Comprehensive Health Centre in Kingston, a large outpatient clinic. During the course, all participants had the opportunity to practice their counseling skills in role plays and with clients. JHPIEGO worked with the
Ministry of Health (MOH) of Jamaica to conduct the VCT courses to update a total of 38 participants. Participants in the updates included healthcare providers, sexually transmitted infection (STI) contact investigators, representatives from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) for people living with HIV/AIDS, behavior change specialists and mental health counselors.
This activity supported efforts by the Jamaican MOH to make VCT available at public sector health facilities throughout the island, particularly for antenatal care and STI patients. A goal of the MOH VCT program is to strengthen referrals of HIV-positive clients to MOH facilities and NGOs that can provide appropriate care and support services, including prevention of mother-to-child transmission, nutritional counseling and support, and psychosocial support and care.
The Jamaica VCT program will include both site-based and group-based training in an attempt to better integrate VCT services into high-volume, outpatient clinics. In the future, the VCT program will expand efforts to other countries in the Caribbean, including Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
For more information about the VCT learning package or the Jamaica/Caribbean VCT Program, contact Kelly Curran at kcurran@jhpiego.net.