Interviewer instructions
This question aims to obtain information about the level of "unmet need" for HIV-testing.
They first ask about experience of HIV testing. Voluntary testing and counselling are now
encouraged, in the belief that if a person knows his or her status, he or she is more likely to
adopt behaviours to prevent contracting the virus or (if positive) transmitting it. Many of
those who get tested do not return to learn the result of the test, but the proportion of those
who return should rise as the quality of pre-test counselling improves. It is important to
obtain an estimate of the number of those tested who return to learn the result, in order to
monitor this proxy indicator of the quality of available counselling and the level of demand
for such services.
Sometimes people are tested for the AIDS virus but are not told whether or not they have
the virus, or do not go to get the result.
It is important that you do not attempt to find out the HIV status of any respondent who has
been tested, or imply that you have any interest in knowing her HIV status. Ask the
question, ensuring that the respondent knows that you are not interested in learning the
results of any test she may have undergone. Circle the code corresponding to her
response.
