Availability of antiretroviral therapy is associated with increased uptake of HIV testing services.

July 2005, Vol. 95, No. 7 SAMJ Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) is an important tool in HIV prevention efforts and in the identification of HIV-infected individuals for care and treatment services. But despite the central role of VCT in the response to HIV/AIDS, less than 20% of South Africans have been tested for HIV. Although there are substantial barriers to seeking VCT, including quality of services and AIDS-related stigma, improving VCT rates remains a critical part of the response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.