| Inability to accurately assess levels of risk for exposure to HIV by some clients and providers |
Normalise HIV testing; simplify risk assessments; make the consideration of an HIV test part of periodic routine medical care. |
| Lack of comfort discussing HIV testing and knowledge about HIV among some clients and providers |
Normalise HIV testing; simplify risk assessments; make the consideration of an HIV test a part of periodic routine medical care. |
| Provider time constraints for risk assessments and pre- and post-test counselling |
Simplify risk assessments; streamline the provision of pre-test information using print, video, mobile and web-based resources; alternate approaches offered to provide negative results. |
| Cumbersome consent procedures |
Verbal consent for HIV testing, as with other tests, is sufficient; testing remains voluntary. |
| Fear of stigma and discrimination associated with risk behaviours and/or testing HIV-positive |
Normalise HIV testing and simplify risk assessment to reduce discomfort and stigma and increase uptake of testing; emphasize HIV as a chronic manageable condition and the benefits of treatment to reduce fear of HIV diagnosis. |
