The following working definitions
are proposed in order to facilitate
consistent understanding
and interpretation of the
terms used in this Guide.
1
Bi-directionality:
Both linking
sexual and reproductive health
(SrH) with Hiv-related policies and
programmes and linking Hiv with
SrH-related policies and programmes.
2
dual protection:
a strategy
that prevents both unintended
pregnancy and sexually transmitted
infections (Stis), including Hiv, through
the use of condoms alone, or combined
with other methods (dual method use).
1
3
Health sector:
the sector
concerned with the provision,
distribution and consumption of health-
care services and related products.
Wide-ranging and encompassing
public and private health services
(including those for health promotion,
disease prevention, diagnosis,
treatment and care); health ministries;
non-governmental organizations;
community groups; professional
organizations; as well as institutions
that directly input into the health-
care system (e.g. the pharmaceutical
industry and teaching institutions).
2
4
Hiv and aidS programmes
and policies:
for the purposes of
this tool, these include the complete
spectrum of prevention, treatment,
care and support activities, as
well as the broad guidance which
establishes appropriate and timely
implementation and development
of Hiv policy. core programmes and
policies relate to and include Hiv
counselling and testing, prophylaxis
and treatment for people living with
Hiv (opportunistic infections (ois) and
antiretroviral therapy (art)), home-
based care and psycho-social support,
prevention for and by people living with
Hiv, Hiv prevention for the general
population, male and female condom
provision, prevention of mother-to-
child transmission (pMtct), and
specific services for key populations.
5
Hiv counselling and testing:
forms the gateway to Hiv
prevention, care, treatment and support
for persons in need. all Hiv testing of
individuals must be confidential, only
be conducted with informed consent
(meaning that it is both informed
and voluntary) and be accompanied
by counselling.
3
provider-initiated
testing and counselling (pitc) involves
the routine offer of Hiv testing to all
patients in health-care settings where
Hiv is prevalent and antiretroviral
treatment is available. people retain
the right to refuse Hiv testing. at
the same time, client-initiated Hiv
testing for all people who want to learn
their Hiv status through voluntary
counselling and testing (vct) remains
critical to the effectiveness of Hiv
prevention. promotion of knowledge of
Hiv status among any population that
may have been exposed to Hiv through
any mode of transmission is essential.
4
6
integration:
different kinds of SrH
and Hiv services or operational
programmes that can be joined
together to ensure and perhaps
maximize collective outcomes.
this would include referrals
from one service to another,
for example. it is based on the
need to offer comprehensive
and integrated services.
5
7
key populations:
populations for
which Hiv risk and vulnerability
converge. Hiv epidemics can be limited
by concentrating prevention efforts
among key populations. the concept
of key populations also recognizes that
they can play a key role in responding
to Hiv. key populations vary in different
places depending on the context
and nature of the local epidemic, but
in most places, they include men
who have sex with men (MSM), sex
workers (SWs) and their clients,
and injecting drug users (idus).
6
8
linkages:
the bi-directional
synergies in policy, programmes,
services and advocacy between SrH
and Hiv.
7
it refers to a broader human
rights based approach, of which service
integration is a subset.
Working Definitions of Selected Terms