Condoms

Condoms are still the most effective way of preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Distributing condoms, and explaining the importance of correct and consistence condom use is an important part of the work that we do.

In the past year, TB HIV Care distributed more than 16 million condoms. We also run campaigns promoting condoms (for example, on Valentine’s Day) and produce materials to encourage and inform people about condoms.

Voluntary medical male circumcision

Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is a procedure that reduces a man’s chance of contracting HIV from a female partner by up to 60%. Since 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended VMMC as an important prevention strategy, particularly in countries with high HIV prevalence.

A one-time intervention, VMMC provides men life-long partial protection against HIV as well as other sexually transmitted infections. TB HIV Care works hard to educate men (and their female partners) around the benefits of VMMC as well as providing the actual procedure at healthcare facilities or specialised wellness centres in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

TB HIV Care offers PrEP to sex workers at our eThekwini, uMgungundlovu and uMkhanyakude sites and is now rolling out PrEP to young women in the general population too.

Over a third of all new HIV infections come from the 15 – 24 year age group (HSRC National HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey) and the incidence among young females is three times higher than their male counterparts. This makes AGYW a high-risk group, requiring urgent attention.

Information, Education and Counselling

Myths and misinformation around both TB and HIV still persist. Knowledge is power. And although knowledge alone may not mean that people adopt safer behaviour, educating people on TB and HIV and counselling people on their options can assist in changing behaviour.

TB HIV Care’s counsellors inform and counsel clients pre-testing, help clients create a risk reduction plan tailored to them and their HIV status post-testing – as well as providing information around other health issues (including, TB, STIs, hypertension and diabetes).

Testing

TB HIV Care’s strategy is to test and screen people where they are, whether at a clinic, taxi rank, workplace, farm, high school or university. TB HIV Care has both facility-based counsellors (i.e. in clinics or hospitals) and mobile teams that can move around in the community. The mobile teams use customised caravans, mobile units and gazebos to ensure a client’s comfort and privacy.

Screening and wellness

TB HIV Care has now conducted more than two million HIV tests. But our testing services also offer a range of wellness services, including screening for TB, STIs high blood pressure and diabetes.

Antiretroviral therapy

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) allows individuals to reduce their viral load, take control of their health and enjoy a normal life expectancy.

An HIV positive individual, who is adhering to their treatment and virally suppressed (has an undetectable viral load) has almost no chance of passing on the virus.

Early intervention

TB patients also benefit from early intervention. And although TB is infectious, once a patient has been on treatment for two weeks, they are no longer infectious and can return to work and everyday life.

TB HIV Care provides this support through facility-based staff and community health workers (CHWs) – who are often an invaluable link between clinic and client.