European HIV-Hepatitis Testing Week: 20–27 November 2015; Know Your Status
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#STOPtheSTIGMA
#KnowYourHIVstatus
#TheTIMEtoACTisNOW
#STOPtheSTIGMA
#KnowYourHIVstatus
#TheTIMEtoACTisNOW
Illness of any kind can be psychologically overwhelming; be it HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis. Shock, disbelief/denial, confusion, shame, anger, isolation,depression, anxiety, substance abuse and stigma/discrimination and suicide/suicidal attempt or thoughts are some of the psychological effects reported with PLWHA(People Living with HIV/AIDS).
Do you know that an estimated 2.5 million people are living with HIV? Yet 30–50% are unaware of their HIV status at the European Region*.
If you live the European Region make use of this opportunity to get tested and know your HIV status.
"This year, European Testing Week (20–27 November 2015) comes at an important time as it provide opportunities for exploring effective ways of increasing awareness and access to testing, including the integration of hepatitis testing into existing HIV testing services and vice versa, where appropriate*."
HIV Status
More than 709 organisations across 49 countries took part in last year’s testing week. For example, in Serbia,a national campaign aimed at young people and men who have sex with men was launched through a consortium of public health-care institutions, civil society organizations, and an informal network of teams capable of providing both prevention and treatment. Facebook advertisements for the activities in testing week, in particular, raised interest in many young people about how to get tested*.
The campaign also attempted to reduce stigma among key population groups by raising awareness through posters in drop-in centers, the institute for alcoholism, and other places where people who inject drugs might gather*
In Greece, the 2014 European Testing Week offered free and anonymous HIV testing to both general population and key population.
The week offers partners across Europe the opportunity to unite to scale up access to, and uptake of, HIV and hepatitis testing services. This year, organizers and participants will further roll out the WHO Consolidated guidelines on HIV testing services, as well as forthcoming guidance on hepatitis testing services for the region.
*(World Health Organization (WHO), November 20th,2015 reports).
The week offers partners across Europe the opportunity to unite to scale up access to, and uptake of, HIV and hepatitis testing services. This year, organizers and participants will further roll out the WHO Consolidated guidelines on HIV testing services, as well as forthcoming guidance on hepatitis testing services for the region.
*(World Health Organization (WHO), November 20th,2015 reports).
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