HIV Testing Services (HTS) Course

Rapid HIV testing is recognized as one of the main strategies for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and other support services (WHO, 2015). HIV testing helps identify those who are infected with HIV and links them for early interventions.

This HIV Testing Services (HTS) curriculum is designed to train HTS service providers to equip them with updated knowledge on the new guidance.

The course is also designed with tools to equip service providers with skills and attitudes to assist in accelerating the HIV testing uptake in the country. In addition, the curriculum has been carefully put together so as to give clarity to the various issues that should be considered when offering HIV Testing Services to the various subpopulations.

This course is designed to equip participants with knowledge skills and attitudes to provide comprehensive, responsive, effective and quality HIV testing services (HTS) to clients as per the National HTS guidelines.

The goal of this HIV Testing Services training is to facilitate the acquisition of the necessary capacities (knowledge, attitudes, and skills) to offer and provide comprehensive, responsive, effective and quality HIV testing services (HTS) to clients as per the National HTS guidelines.

General course objectives

• Demonstrate acquisition of the requisite basic knowledge on HIV/AIDS and other relevant health i.e. sexual and reproductive health etc.
• Demonstrate acquisition of sufficient progressive attitudes through self-awareness and personal development to offer quality HTS to all clients.
• Demonstrate the ability to use counseling and communication skills in the provision of HTS as per the National HTS guidelines and other relevant national and international policy documents, guidelines and standards.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the services that comprise and support comprehensive HIV care.
• Apply the acquired knowledge and skills on psychosocial issues in HIV/ AIDS to provide effective services to clients according to the HTS guidelines.
• Demonstrate ability to use appropriate HTS Protocols to provide services to clients/patients as per the National HTS guidelines.
• Acquire (attain) knowledge and skills to carry out HIV testing procedures as per the stipulated standard operating procedures (SOPs) in Kenya
• Accurately record and report HTS processes as per the national HTS guidelines.

All participants to be trained in HTS must possess at least a minimum of a Diploma certificate in social or health sciences or a related course and from a recognized institution.

The course will cover the following 10 modules

• Module 1: Introduction and Background to HIV Testing Services (HTS).
• Module 2: Basic Concepts in HIV and AIDS
• Module 3: HTS Populations targets, Approaches, Setting, and Strategies
• Module 4: Communication and Counselling for HTS
• Module 5: Psychosocial, Contextual and emerging issues in HIV
• Module 6: HTS Service Package (HTS Protocols)
• Module 7: HIV Testing Requirements, Algorithms and Procedures
• Module 8: Introduction to HIV Treatment and Comprehensive Care Packages
• Module 9: Promotional Activities for HTS
• Module 10: Coordination, Monitoring, and Evaluation (M &E) of HTS