PSI

HIV counseling and testing (CT) is an essential component of public health efforts to reduce HIV incidence and to improve access to HIV care and treatment.

PSI provides HIV CT services through networks of directly and indirectly managed (or franchised) sites. Service delivery models within these social franchise networks include stand-alone sites, mobile sites, and sites integrated into public and private health facilities. PSI provides standard training, protocols and quality assurance to all sites within the networks. PSI's HIV CT sites are also linked by common brands, which are positioned as symbols of hope and quality to help create awareness and generate demand for HIV CT. In addition to branded advertising, PSI uses non-branded behavior change communication campaigns to motivate people to learn their HIV status. Culturally appropriate, targeted mass media and interpersonal communication strategies also aim to reduce stigma associated with HIV testing.

PSI was one of the first international NGOs to implement HIV CT social marketing and franchising. Between 2002 and August 2009, PSI and its partners test over 4.2 million individuals and 288,000 couples, with an average annual client increase of 33% year-to-year. PSI currently provides CT services in 20 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

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Health Areas: HIV