HIV Testing and Facilitating the Diagnosis Process / Peer Counseling Support Module -1

Duration : 1 year / 18 September 2021 – 18 October 2022

Budget : TEST 58.500 TL /MODULE 44.700

Sponsor : Gilead Sciences "Positive Support to Life" Donation Program

Purpose and Target and Method:

With the 'HIV Testing and Facilitating the Diagnosis Process' Project, the aim was for people who want to get tested, they can do their regular tests anonymously without labelling by the society

This project also helped those who don't have health insurance in Turkey or live with HIV but don't know their status.

Within the scope of the project, which is planned to be carried out for 1 year between September 18, 2021 - September 18, 2022, in Istanbul, 500 HIV tests were targeted.

The project's aim is who have been diagnosed HIV positive, those people can get support and courage to do their treatment.

The project was carried out between September 18, 2021, and August 26, 2022, in a private laboratory in Istanbul, on Saturdays, by studying the HIV1/2 Combo test.

Another important role in this project is all surveys are made anonymously. An evaluation study was conducted with anonymous data obtained from the people who came to the test with their consent.

Results:

For people who work on weekdays, have risky contacts and cannot spare time for testing, the application days are determined as Saturdays. The availability of the weekend test service option was convenient and encouraging for these people.

Between the first test on October 20, 2021, and August 26, 2022 (in 10 months), a total of 336 people were tested. Between these dates, the results of 33 people (9.8%) were diagnosed as positive. Those who received positive results were given immediate peer support and directed to the ASO organizations. Within the scope of the project, an anonymous questionnaire was applied to those who took the test based on voluntary participation. 278 people filled out the questionnaire. The outputs were used as a poster presentation at the National HIV/AIDS Congress 2023.

Turkish Project Report: https://www.kisa.link/QfM0