HIV voluntary counseling and testing in Egypt: a reference guide for counselors.

HIV and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) started to appear in Egypt in 1986 when the first case was detected. According to the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) Report dated December 2005 2330 cases have been detected; of these 1680 werer Egyptians and 650 were foreigners. Of the 1680 Egyptians 535 cases have developed AIDS while 1145 remained asymptomatic HIV cases (NAP 2005). Heterosexual transmission was the most common mode of transmission accounting for 47.2% of the HIV/AIDS cases in Egypt followed by infection through blood / blood products and hemodialysis accounting for 22.9% of cases and homosexual sex accounting for 21% of the cases. Intravenous drug use was responsible for 2.2% of the HIV/ AIDS cases. In 5.5% of cases the mode of transmission was unidentified. Males were five times more at risk than females keeping vertical transmission through mother to child at 1.2% (NAP 2005). Prevention of HIV/ AIDS has been identified as a priority by the government of Egypt. Even though the prevalence appears to be low at this time efforts are required to contain the epidemic. The MOHP has made considerable progress in establishing anonymous voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services and in building the capacity of counselors and other service providers to deliver comprehensive prevention care and support services. Establishing VCT services provides an opportunity for individuals to know their HIV serostatus. It is also an important entry point for: Early management of opportunistic infections (QIs) and STIs. Preventive therapy (tuberculosis [TB] and pneumonia). Referral to social services and peer support. Normalizing HIV/AIDS (stigma & discrimination). Family planning and contraceptive services. Planning for the future ( care of orphans). Reducing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. (excerpt)