SEMINAR ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HIV COUNSELLING AND TESTING AMONG TEENAGERS

INTRODUCTION

        The national youth risk behaviour survey [YRBS] provides data on the percentage of student in grade 9-2 who have been tested for HIV. According to the 200 survey, 13% of 9^th – 12^th grade students had ever been tested for HIV. Testing rates varies by sex [15] % among female students, 11% among male students, race/ethnicity [22%] among black students 13% among Hispanic students, 11% among white students and grade [9% among 9^th grader, increasing to 19% among 12^th graders].

        Although the national [YRBS] data are useful for characterizing HIV testing treads nationwide, state and local data are needed to examine local trends in testing behaviours, identity gaps in testing for certain population, and determine whether young people at risk are being tested. States and localities looking to characterize HIV testing trends in their [YRBS], questionnaires three, three states added the HIV testing question to their [YRBS] in2007. Conflict, making it the best opportunity for accurate referrals to more intensive service, is also one of the primary entry points into prevention and other services; found that 14% of 9^th – 12^th grade students had been tested for HIV. In these same two states, however 37% and 39% of students, respectively, who had sex vial intercourse within the preceding three month had not used a condom the last time they had sex.

 

WHY HIV TESTING IS IMPORTANT

v Of the more than one million person in the United States living with HIV/AIDS, an estimated 21% are unaware they are infected. This percentage is even higher among certain population, more than 50% of HIV infected adolescents and according to one study, nearly 80% of young HIV-infected men who have sex with men do not know their infection status.

v Early identification of HIV infection enables people to start treatment sooner, leading to better health outcomes and longer lives.

v Increasing the number of HIV – infected people who are aware of their status is an integral part of prevention. Studies show that people who know they are infected are far less likely to have or remind people how they can protect themselves and other from HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted disease [STDS].

v 48% have had sexual intercourse at least once [including 33% of 9^th grade students and 65% of 12^th grade students].

v 7% sexual intercourse for the first time between ages 13.

v 15% have had four or more sex partners [including 9% of 9^th grade students and 22% of 12^th grade students]

v 38% of sexually active students did not use a condom the last time they had sex [including 31% of 9^th grade students, and 46% of 12^th grade students]

v 2% have injected illegal drugs at least one 

WHAT SCHOOLS ARE DOING TO SUPPORT HIV TESTING

        Many schools have already demonstrated their commitment to HIV education, counseling and testing. The 2006 school health policies and programs study indicated that among U.S high schools.

v 85% teach, as part of required courses, how HIV is transmitted

v 77% teach how HIV is diagnosed and treated

v 77% teach how to find valid information or services regarding HIV or HIV counseling and testing.

School health professionals are in an excellent position to identify and refer youth for HIV prevention counseling, and testing services. A number of states districts and schools have taken an active role

v Many schools maintain linkages with local health centers and community, based organizations to help students receive needed screenings and treatment

v Some school – based health clinic offer HIV and other STD testing on site, for example, school based health centers across seattle provide free, on site clinical services, including HIV and STD counseling and testing.

v In Philadelphia, all 9^th grade and transfer students are offered STD testing at schooling collaboration with the health department students who test positive are provided STD treatment at school and referred locally for HIV testing.

v In Hawaii, peer education program coordinator are given sample tended  HIV test kits to use when teaching schools staff about HIV testing as part of world AIDS day activities.

v In Puerto Rico, the department of health formed a co-operative agreement with the department of education to conduct HIV and STD counseling and testing in public high school across the island.

RECOMMENDATION

 CDC recommends that diagnostic HIV testing and opts out HIV screening is a part of routine clinical care in all health – care settings while also preserving the patient’s option to decline HIV testing and ensuring a provider – patient relationship conducive to optimal clinical and preventive care. The recommendations are intended for providers in all health – care setting, including hospital EDS, urgent – care clinics, in patients services, STD clinics or other venues offering clinical STD services, tuberculosis [TB] clinics, substance abuse treatment clinics, other public health clinics, community clinics, correctional health – care f, they do not modify existing guidelines concerning risk for HIV who seek or receive HIV testing in nonclinical settings.

REFERENCE         

1.     CDC, Revised Commendations For HIV Testing Of Adults, Adolescents And Pregnant Women In Health – Care Setting IMUWR 2006, 55 [RR - 14].

2.     U.S Department Of Health And Human Services February 2009.