HIV: It's better to know

HIV: It's better to know

In March 2007 after returning to London from a BHIVA (British HIV/AIDS Association) conference, a staff member of Willesden-based Community Health Action Trust (CHAT) put forward a proposal to do a pilot HIV testing project. The idea was to see whether testing in the community could make more Africans want to test. By then, HIV testing services were mostly being offered at NHS establishments and at some GP surgeries.

With funding from NHS Brent, a small clinic was set up next to the charity’s offices in Moran House, High Road Willesden. Today, two years later, the ‘Better to Know Than Not to Know’ testing service has grown from strength to strength, and it is helping to scale up access by African and other Black people in and around north-west London.

The testing project was set up because studies as well as anecdotal evidence showed many Africans have particular issues regarding HIV testing. These include:

• Some people fear being seen at a genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic; people might think if they are promiscuous or may already be infected; 
• Others wrongly believe that clinic staff will report them to the police, Social Services or (in the case of asylum seekers) the Home Office;
• Those with English language difficulties may they won’t be able to communicate with GUM clinic staff;
• Some Africans, including those who may have been tortured in their home country, have a fear of engaging with authorities.

CHAT’s pilot project was successful right from the start. In the first year, 90 people visited the clinic and took the test. With such an impressive start, NHS Brent decided to roll over the funding for a second year. That enabled CHAT to employ a sexual health nurse and an outreach worker. With the two additional staff, the service has been on the growth path.

According to Dr Edwin Mapara of CHAT, the success of the pilot project is down to the thoughtful way in which the service was promoted. A team of volunteers worked with the Outreach Worker to pass on information about the service, and there was press coverage in The Brent Magazine, which is published by Brent Council and distributed throughout the borough. Other publicity tools used included a website (www.knowyourstatus.co.uk), local radio stations and fly posting.

In the 12 months to May 2009, a total of 580 people visited the CHAT clinic and took the test. Out of these, 8 tested positive. Clients who test positive at the CHAT clinic are referred to Central Middlesex Hospital, although some prefer to go to another hospital.

Work with faith groups

CHAT is also working with faith groups to promote access to the HIV testing service. Pastors and other local church leaders have participated in the organisation’s Community Integrated Sexual Health Initiative (CISHI) course, from where they gained useful HIV prevention skills. The skills are helping them to promote the service to members of their congregation, and this is resulting in many referrals to visit the clinic.

Why it’s good to know

There are real advantages to knowing one’s HIV status, whether the test result is positive or negative. The main advantages include:

If you are negative:

• You will have a stronger reason to remain free of the virus; 
• It might help you to decided whether to have baby;
• You will better plan for your future and that of any dependants;
• If your partner is also negative, you may not need to use condoms every time you have sex.

If you are positive:

• You will have the opportunity to discuss about treatment and support services with your doctor;
• With proper treatment, an adult aged 35 can now expect to live well into the 70s;
• You will be able to make better plans for you and your family;
• If you want to have a baby, you can discuss with your doctor what precautions to take in order to cut the HIV transmission risk to the baby;
• Information about your test result will not be given to your GP or any other person without your knowledge and permission (although a court may ask your doctor to reveal the information if required);  
• Nowadays, HIV tests take much less time than before; results can come out within an hour, meaning you won’t have to spend a long time at the clinic.

For more information about CHAT’s HIV testing services, please call ACP on 020 8830 3392 Other HIV testing services available in west London include:

West London Centre for Sexual Health: text ‘WLC appt’ to 07786 201 816
African AIDS Helpline: 0800 0967500
THT Lighthouse West London: 020 7229 1258
THT Direct: 0845 1221 200.

Posted On: 27 April 2010 at 04:23PM
Tags: HIV: it's better to know

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