In November, the program "The time is now - test makes us stronger" was released at the Curitiba city hall, focusing on the prevention and control of HIV among gays and men who have sex with men (MSM), two of the most vulnerable groups to HIV infection, especially among young people. The project is a partnership between Fiocruz - with the support of Fiotec - the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Municipal Health Department of Curitiba (SMS), the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), STD, AIDS and Viral Hepatitis Department of the Ministry of Health, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and Dignity Group (NGO of Curitiba).

The first initiative of the project will be conducting rapid HIV tests, available from next week, in two mobile units (trailers), which will provide results in about 20 minutes. One of the units will be in town squares and the other will strengthen the program doctor's surgery in the street.

In addition to expanding access to testing, the program enables, with the support of a virtual platform (e-Testing), participants to receive the oral fluid test at home to perform the self-test. The action is expected to be implemented in early 2015.

The project also aims to strengthen the connection of the positive cases for HIV to the reference public health services in Curitiba, facilitating access to antiretroviral treatment and ensuring the continuity of patient care.

Target Audience

The intention is to achieve especially gays and MSM over 14 years old, who are the most HIV & AIDS Vulnerable Group, concentrating the highest prevalence (number of reported cases), estimated at 10.5% . Specifically, MSM do not identify as gay but have sex with men. This group becomes more difficult to achieve for not having a gay identity, not being connected to the gay scene or the traditional advocacy channels (NGOs, social movements, etc.), because of their fear of being stereotyped.

The epidemic in Curitiba

According to the Municipal Health Secretary of Curitiba, Adriano Massuda, the city has an important history in fighting the epidemic. It was the first city to notify all patients with HIV, not just those who had AIDS.

According to data from the Local Government, since 1984, when the first cases of AIDS were recorded, 10,256 people developed the disease in Curitiba. Besides these people, there are still 3,792 carriers of the virus. Currently, about 9000 people are treated and receive medicines through the Unified Health System (SUS) of Curitiba.

The program in the city will be a pilot for future deployment in other cities in Brazil.

Service

Mobile testing units: one of them will be placed on Fridays, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the Osório Square and on Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at a place near the Tiradentes Square. The second mobile unit will be embedded in a structure of the program doctor’s surgery in the street, providing health teams to the street population.

For questions: Dial Now - phone (41) 3322-2200. Service 24 hours a day.

* With information of Curitiba Local Government