Rapid operation assessment of voluntary HIV counselling and testing services in three cities in China, 2009.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the operation of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services forhuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in three cities in China.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study using mixed methods, including focus group discussions,in-depth interviews, field assessment, archive checking and structured questionnaire interviews, was conducted to assess different aspects of VCT services.


METHODS
Surveys were undertaken in six counties of three China Global Fund AIDS Program (Round Five) cities, including 11 VCT clinics, 38 counsellors, 83 clients and 332 individuals at risk for HIV infection.


RESULTS
All counsellors were trained and approved for providing counselling. As there were adequate numbers of clinics and counsellors, VCT services ran smoothly. Clients were generally satisfied with VCT services and considered service operation to be adequate. Problems with the VCT programme included fewer VCT services in general hospitals, lack of a referral mechanism, and long delays between testing and receipt of results.


CONCLUSIONS
The operation of VCT services in the three cities was generally adequate, but referral services were poor. More attention needs to be paid to HIV testing and counselling in general hospitals, and referral networks need to be strengthened.
W
W
Ma
S
S
Ye
Y
Y
Xiao
C
C
Jin
Y
Y
Li
L
L
Zhao
Y
Y
Cai
B
B
Liu
R
R
Detels
D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D002947:Cities; D003376:Counseling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036301:Qualitative Research; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D035141:Voluntary Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*