Eighty-five percent of Ethiopians live in rural areas where there is virtually no access to public health services and HIV/AIDS prevalence is estimated to be 2.6 percent and growing.

There are few organizations providing HIV testing in these remote areas, and prevention information has not been widely disseminated. For many people living in rural Ethiopia, it is virtually impossible to learn their HIV status.

African Services' Response:

In 2007, African Services launched its mobile testing unit to bring HIV prevention education and free, confidential testing to Ethiopia's rural communities.

Most recently, we joined with private-sector allies I-TECH and BGI Ethiopia to bring mobile testing to the towns of Adigrat, Wukro and Hawzien in Tigray Region, and Zeway, in the Oromia Region. HIV diagnostics are very limited in these areas and adult prevalence is estimated at 2.7 percent.

We partnered with local health workers and youth groups for advance outreach and promotion. Our mobile testing unit then arrived, setting up counseling and lab tents in the market area of each town. In a three week period, we can provide over 2,500 free HIV tests and diagnose over 50 HIV positive individuals. For those in need, African Services provided referrals to the nearest care, helping to bridge the gap between communities and the nearest hospital or health center and increase uptake of ART treatment.

With the support of our staff and country-wide network of partners, African Services' mobile testing unit can be deployed as needed to serve new rural initiatives.

Our Work in Action:

Seven Tents is a short documentary about African Services' recent mobile HIV testing campaign in rural Tigray Province. It shows our work in action and includes interviews with community members, local health officials, and African Services' community health workers.

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