On the World AIDS Day, December 1, UN staff in Russia underwent HIV testing. For the first time testing was organized in office in the framework of HIV in the Workplace programme.

Saliva HIV testing was anonymous and confidential. It was performed by staff members of Russian Charitable Fund NAN («No to Alcoholism and Drugs») Alexamdre Ritsik and Andrey Artemenko. As experienced counselors, they provided pre- and post-test counseling, told those who underwent the test about modes of transmission, risky behaviour, answered questions, and offered psychological support.

Dr. Denis Brun, Regional Director of UNAIDS office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia makes the following points:
- Getting tested is the step to getting access to treatment if needed. Early treatment has much better outcomes. In Europe, still 30% of those who start treatment start too late, when they are already sick with AIDS. This could be avoided if they came for testing earlier. Those who are at risk (MSM, IDU, CSW, wives/husbands and partners of these) should be the ones asking for test. At present too many tests are performed on people with low risk and not enough on high-risk populations. People who test positive know that they are actors of prevention. They do not transmit to others.

OraQuick ADVANCE saliva test which UN staff will undergo is a painless, quick and certified in Russia method. Barak Obama, Anna Kurnikova, Miss Universe Diane Mendoza and thousands of other Americans went through this test. It is the only recommended in USA HIV-1,2 saliva express test and is widely used on the National testing day when everybody who is willing can anonymously and free of charge go through HIV testing and receive counselling. The procedure is very simple, the result is ready in 20 minutes.

Get to know your HIV status: UN staff will go through HIV
testing on the World AIDS Day

Those who know their HIV status and have a responsible attitude to health, protect their partners from HIV transmission.

- About 40% of people living with HIV in the world do not know their status, -continues commenting Dr. Denis Brun.- This is one of the reasons why HIV epidemic is still spreading. Russia has achieved great progress in prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child namely because a system of testing pregnant women is in place and necessary measures are taken in a timely manner.

- This is an excellent opportunity to learn about your health situation,-says
Bertrand Bainvel, Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund in the Russian Federation. - HIV testing has to become a regular, routine procedure.

- I underwent testing,-shares Elena Tveritinova, UNESCO Programme Assistant. - I found counseling to be very useful. It helped me to considerably deepen my knowledge of the HIV epidemic.

Over 20 UN staff participated in testing on the World AIDS Day. Even if someone had no time or lacked confidence to go through testing, they definitely reflected on HIV issue and will be able to take the test later on.