HIV counselling and testing.

Voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) is an entry point to a range of HIV prevention and care interventions. Given recent breakthroughs to help people with HIV/AIDS there is considerable reason to promote such services. However despite the particular need for VCT in developing countries with high prevalences of HIV infection VCT is rarely available. One exception to this general lack of HIV testing and counseling services in Africa is the AIDS Information Center in Uganda where more than 450000 people have received VCT. Zambias first VCT center Kara Counseling and Training Trust was established in November 1992 and offers a range of support services outside the workplace or medical center. Fear the lack of available medical help for HIV-infected people and stigma associated with having HIV are discussed as some of the reasons why people decline to be tested for HIV infection.