The project aims to increase and expand HIV prevention and voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services for gays, MSM and transvestite groups in the metropolitan areas of Rio de Janeiro (Rio) and Recife. Building on Pact Brasil’s extensive experience of working with local non governmental organizations (NGO) partners that are leaders in HIV prevention with socially excluded groups, this project will partner with key local NGOs and the public health sector to: 

1)Increase HIV testing rates and coverage for socially excluded gays, MSM and transvestites in the metropolitan areas of Rio and Recife;

2)Increase the number of gays, MSM and transvestites who receive their test results using the rapid test at alternative and conventional testing sites in the metropolitan areas of Rio and Recife;

3)Strengthen linkages among gays, MSM and transvestite communities and the local public health care systems by improving knowledge regarding effective VCT strategies and promoting the greater involvement and inclusion of the priority population in the health care system.

Pact will achieve these objectives through a two-pronged approach that involves scaling up prevention and VCT services available to gays, MSM and transvestites populations in Rio and Recife metropolitan areas and improving networks between NGOs and the government. Pact will work in close partnership with the State and Municipal Programs and NGOs in Pernambuco and Rio to upgrade current rapid testing sites and to pilot the use of alternative VCT testing sites in NGOs and mobile testing units in strategic locations frequented by MSM and the transvestite community.