The current status of anonymous voluntary STD/HIV counseling and testing in hospitals in taiwan and an assessment of the need for integrated mental health services
台灣醫院性病愛滋匿篩執行現況與心理健康服務之需求性評估
Journal
Taiwan Journal of Public Health
Journal Volume
33
Journal Issue
4
Pages
386-396
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Su P.
Abstract
Objectives: Anonymous voluntary STD/HIV counseling and testing (VCT) was first implemented in Taiwan in 1999. The aims of this study were to investigate its current status and the challenges for various levels of hospitals offering VCT in different areas, and to assess the need for integrated mental health services.Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with VCT counselors in 15 hospitals.Results: VCT was administered primarily via Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Family Medicine with the provision of STD/HIV education and emotional support. Among the major challenges were ineffective health education, limited VCT resources, inadequate private space, and lack of mental health services. Of the 15 interviewees, 12 suggested that VCT integrated with mental health services would optimize program effectiveness. Inter-professional practices have been introduced in some hospitals offering VCT, but some interviewees raised concerns about subsequent follow-up in the context of inter-professional practice if VCT participants seroconverted.Conclusions: There is a need for mental health services along with the provision of VCT. To improve the VCT program, it is important to understand the subculture among VCT participants, to involve peer volunteers and multidisciplinary counselors, and to enhance privacy during VCT. Disease control measures should be combined with mental health services to further our understanding of people's motives for VCT and their psychosocial state. Therefore, it is necessary to develop patient-oriented cooperative VCT programs which offer tailored and theory-driven health education interventions based on such theories as the Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory, thereby making VCT a part of primary prevention efforts.
Subjects
AIDS; Anonymous voluntary STD/HIV counseling and testing (VCT); Mental health services; Sexually transmitted disease (STD)
SDGs
Publisher
Taiwan Public Health Association
Type
journal article