Family-Based HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing in Patients at Risk for Tuberculosis

This study tests the efficacy of an intervention utilizing HIV rapid testing and integration of HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) into Tuberculosis (TB) evaluation and home-based VCT for family members, to overcome identified logistical and psychological barriers to HIV VCT among new TB patients and their family members. The specific aims of the study are:

1. To determine the uptake of and barriers to HIV VCT among a cross-sectional sample of 2,000 TB evaluation patients offered same-day results HIV counseling and testing at the Uganda National TB and Leprosy Programme outpatient TB clinic at Old Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda
2. To conduct a randomized trial of HIV VCT among 600 households comparing VCT uptake between home-based VCT and TB clinic-based VCT for family and household members of TB evaluation patients
3. To investigate the effectiveness of home-based and TB clinic-based VCT in linking HIV+ persons to HIV medical care and social support

Through this study’s dissemination plan and the proposed policy and community forums, information on a successful model could be made rapidly available to key stakeholders responsible for setting national policy and local HIV/AIDS control programs.