Analysis on the needs of AIDS voluntary counseling and testing among focal population

Objective The study was conducted to investigate the awareness of AIDS and demand of AIDS voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) among focal population, providing evidence for theadoption of effective measures to promote the positive access of this population to VCT services.Methods Anonymous questionnaires were provided for the prostitutes, drug abusers, and outpatients respectively selected from female custodial institutions, compulsory drug rehabilitation centers,outpatient methadone clinics and STD clinics of a certain size (number of patients). Results The proportions of people who had counseling experience on AIDS - related knowledge among the prostitutes, drug users, STD clinic outpatients and methadone clinic outpatients were 16.3%, 26.1%,46.1% and 49.8%, respectively; the proportions of people who had previously experienced in detecting HIV antibodies were respectively 39.2%, 25.4%, 30.4% and 52.1%; the proportions of those who werewilling to live or work with HIV- infected persons were 11.7%, 12.0%, 14.3%, 26.4%, respectively.The proportion of the prostitutes that were willing to adhere to the use of condoms was 93.8%, andthat of the drug abusers who were not to share needles with others was 90.1%. The proportion of theSTD clinic outpatients that were willing to adhere to the use of condoms was 89.0%, and that of the methadone clinic outpatients who were willing to uphold the administration of methadone was92.5%. Conclusion In response to these findings, it is necessary to strengthen the publicity andpromotion of VCT among this focal population while stressing the confidentiality of counseling andtesting and the accuracy of detection, accompanied with activities for the elimination of discrimination against people infected with HIV.