RESULTS OF A STUDY OF THE COVERAGE THROUGH COUNSELLING DURING HIV TESTING AND THE REASONS FOR COVERAGE SHORTAGE IN 32 REGIONS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Objective. To study the coverage through counselling during HIV testing in 32 regions of the Russian Federation and the reasons for coverage shortage.
Materials and methods. Questionnaire surveys were conducted in November 2014 to estimate the coverage; information was obtained from 32 regions. The survey values were calculated from answers to the question: «What is the coverage through counselling during HIV testing in your region ? Please, call the main reasons for inadequate coverage through consulting during HIV testing».
Results. 56.25% of the obtained replies contained a quantitative characterization of the coverage through counselling in a wide range (5-100%). 18.7% of the questionnaires showed that counselling during HIV testing was made in full measure only in the centers of AIDS prevention and control; 12.5% of the respondents made reference to the compliance with the current normative documents. The main reason for inadequate coverage through counselling was reported to be lack of time in 24.2% of the replies, shortage of physicians and their large load in 15.1 and 12.1%, respectively. 9.1% of the replies indicated the underestimation of the importance of counselling, as well as the lack of skills, and no identification of counselling as a service.
Conclusion. Underestimation of the possibilities of counselling during HIV testing in forming desired behavior along with organization drawbacks serves as a barrier to a countermeasure against the epidemics of the disease and needs to be corrected.

HIV infection, prevention, counselling during HIV testing