HIV testing campaign launches at clubs and festivals

The number of people living with HIV in Poland is growing, although the National AIDS Center estimates that still only 10-20% of Polish adults have ever taken a test. This could mean that many people are living with the chronic disease, but don't yet know about it. HIV counselors, nurses and a streetworker from the Social Education Foundation want to remedy this. As part of the "PartyTEST" project, they encourage testing for HIV, HCV and syphilis, provide information on these infections, and conduct testing where the most vulnerable young adults gather - at festivals and clubs. Funding for conducting these activities comes from a competition funded by Gilead Sciences Poland - Positively Open.

A large number of HIV, HCV and syphilis infections are reported among young adults. It is to them that the Social Education Foundation wants to reach and test them where they feel comfortable. Hence the idea of actions in clubs and at festivals. Thanks to the Foundation's experience, such testing is not only convenient for those interested and a quick way from the decision to take the test to the test itself, but also anonymity and preserved health and safety rules.

According to project coordinator Agnieszka Swiderska of the Health Education Foundation: - Testing for sexually transmitted diseases can involve stress. We try to reduce this stress as much as possible.

The next testing at the club event will take place on May 10 at the Dzik club at 44 Belwederska Street in Warsaw. Shortly thereafter, the European Testing Week begins, which this year falls between May 15-21.

- During this time, further testing is planned with, among other things, the use of the Mobile Harm Reduction Service, a camper where one can talk to an HIV/AIDS counselor about sexually transmitted diseases, take tests for HIV, HCV and syphilis, and receive support from a psychologist, says Agnieszka Swiderska.The Mobile Harm Reduction Service will be available throughout May every Tuesday and Friday in Warsaw's Praga district.

Details on where the next STD testing club events will be held and what else is happening as part of the PartyTEST project are available on the Social Education Foundation's facebook profile.

- People from all over Poland have already been tested for HIV and HCV in the Social Education Foundation's camper, and the Foundation itself has been working with festival organizers and club owners for years. This ensures that the testing carried out by HIV/AIDS counselors and FES nurses under the PartyTEST project will be done professionally. I'm very happy that the funds we donate are helping to reach young people with these tests," comments Pawel Mierzejewski of Gilead Sciences, coordinator of the Positively Open program.

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