Household HTC project targets family members of people living with HIV

John is a well-known restaurant owner in Mponela, a busy highway town in rural Malawi. Though his wife Gertrude has been taking ART for more than three years, he chose never to be tested for fear he would be stigmatized if found HIV-infected. Gertrude while attending her regular ART appointment was approached by a Tinagthe community health worker (CHW) to be screened for a new household-based HIV testing initiative. During screening, Gertrude disclosed to the CHW that although she is enrolled in care, her husband has not been tested. She gladly accepted the home-based testing, hoping that her chronically sick husband would finally get the testing and treatment he needed.

A CHW and counsellor team approached John at his home and explained to him the benefits of HIV testing and counselling, assured him of confidentiality, and offered to help and support him through the process of enrolling into care, if found infected. John accepted and was tested in the comfort of his own home. He was found infected and asked to come back to clinic for further assessment and enrolment into care. Tingathe CHWs, as promised, helped him through the process allowing him to start ART within three days of being tested. He has since been on ART for one month both his health and restaurant business have improved.

CHWs offer HIV testing and counselling services within a patient's home

 “[My restaurant] used to be manned by my sons but some customers would go away because they are used to me. I lost so many customers. The business has now started picking up because I have robust health and I am always there myself.”

His relationship with his wife has also improved. They now act as a support system for each other, encouraging healthy living and prevention.
“My wife is happy I am finally in care, she never thought CHWs would be able to convince me and help put me in care. We now encourage and remind each other about times to take meds.”