HIV and HCV Rapid Testing for People Who Using Drugs
HIV and HCV Rapid Testing for People Who Using Drugs
This course provides comprehensive training on the biology, transmission, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of HIV and HCV. Participants will learn about the principles and practices of rapid testing for these viruses, including pre-test and post-test counseling. The course also covers the ethical, legal, and social implications of testing, and offers guidance on working with vulnerable populations, particularly people who use drugs.
This course is designed for healthcare professionals, community health workers, social workers, and volunteers involved in public health and harm reduction services. It is also suitable for those working in low-threshold service centers, HIV and HCV prevention programs, and individuals interested in expanding their knowledge on rapid testing and counseling for these infections.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the biology and transmission routes of HIV and HCV.
- Conduct rapid testing for HIV and HCV accurately and effectively.
- Provide appropriate pre-test and post-test counseling.
- Address the specific needs and challenges of testing in low-threshold services.
- Implement strategies to support individuals with positive test results, including linkage to care.
- Navigate the ethical and legal considerations in HIV and HCV testing.
- Advocate for and support harm reduction approaches in various settings.
The course takes approximately 4 hours to complete. Each part consists of materials to read or watch, and ends with a short quiz to check your knowledge.
Introduction to Module 1
By the end of this module you will understand:
- The biology of HIV and HCV; modes of transmission of HIV and HCV; screening and diagnosis methods for HIV and HCV; HIV and HCV treatment options.
- Basic information about tuberculesis.
Basic information about HIV
HIV transmission
Screening and diagnosis for HIV
HIV treatment and drug use
The biology of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
HCV transmission
Screening and diagnosis of HCV
Treatment for HCV
Basic information about Tuberculosis
Key facts about Tuberculosis
Quiz 1
Additional materials
Introduction to Module 2
By the end of the module you will understand what types of HIV and HCV tests exists, how they work, and what the ‘window period’ is.
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Window period
Testing in the window period
Rapid test
Follow-up diagnostic test for HIV and HCV
Quiz 2
Additional materials
Introduction to Module 3
By the end of the module you will understand:
- The standards of pre-test and post-test counselling.
- The procedure of counselling and importance of counselling.
Five principles/norms of testing
Principles of pre- and post-test counselling
Pre-test counselling
Prevention counseling
Post-test counselling
Communication of test results
Ethical considerations
Quiz 3
Introduction to Module 4
By the end of this module you will:
- Understand philosophy of harm reduction.
- Have concrete plans for developing their existing services and adding new services.
- Understand public health ethical priorities of low-threshold services and negligence of not addressing behaviors that cause infections.
- Be able to engage PWUD in discussions about minimizing risks.
Low threshold services
Recruitment of clients/target groups for testing
HIV/HCV integrated services in harm reduction
Barriers to harm reduction for HIV prevention
Peer involvement
Quiz 4
Additional materials
Introduction to Module 5
By the end of this module you will be able to:
- Offer suggestions for mainstreaming gender into existing services for PWUD.
- Expand access to women who use drugs (WUD) through appropriate gender-sensitive and gender-specific services.
- Address gender issues within existing services and/or to develop gender-specific services.
- Setting targets for scale-up to improve access to comprehensive HIV and care services, expanding coverage among WUD.
Alcohol and other drugs, sexual and reproductive health and right and pregnancy
Contraception for WUD
Women who use drugs and prevention of mother to child transmission
Social effects of drug use
Harm reduction during pregnancy
Violence against WUD
Sexual and intimate partner violence (IPV)
Violence by law enforcement agencies
WUD in prison settings
Developing a "Menu" of services for WUD
New services added by existing organizations or alone services
Building a supportive, enabling environment
Quiz 5
Additional materials
Introduction to Module 6
By the end of the module, you will understand:
- Integrated approaches in relation to substance use and HIV/HCV testing.
- The role of low threshold settings in improving linkage.
- Main barriers to service integration.
- What can be done to support linkage.
What is integration?
What is integrated care?
What is integrated care - continuation
Barriers to linkage
What can be done to support integrated care?
The factors related to HIV prevention
The factors related to HIV prevention - continuation
Quiz 6