Assessment of VCT Utilization, and Willingness to Accept Provider-Initiated HIV Counseling and Testing among Tuberculosis Patients in Addis Ababa
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2007-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Addis Ababa City Administration Health Bureau is recently implementing Provider Initiated HIV
Counseling and Testing (PIHCT) in response to the high HIV prevalence among TB patients, and in an
attempt to increase the uptake of HIV testing and ART. However, there has not been precise information
pertaining to the Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) utilization status by tuberculosis (TB) patients.
This study was conducted in June 2006 to assess VCT utilization rate, perceived barriers for HIV
testing, and willingness for PIHCT among TB patients in Addis Ababa.
Facility-based, cross-sectional study was conducted and 423 TB patients interviewed. A stratified two
stage sampling method was used for the selection of study subjects. In the first stage of sampling, eight
health centers were selected by simple random sampling. In the second stage of sampling, patients
were systematically selected in each selected health center. The study had used quantitative and
qualitative data collection methods.
The prevalence of self reported HIV testing among sampled TB patients was 57%. Adjusted correlates
of HIV testing include primary education (AOR=2.04, 95% CI=1.03-4.06), being merchant (AOR=5.67,
95% CI=1.56-20.60), had moderate HIV risk perception (AOR=5.30, 95% CI=1.67-16.82), and high-HIV
risk perception (AOR=4.38, 95% CI=1.32-14.55). Patients who had willingness for PIHCT found more
likely to have been tested for HIV (AOR=2.32, 95% CI=1.23-4.36).
While experiences with client and provider-initiated HIV testing overall were positive, 86.2% of the
patients were willing for PIHCT. The only adjusted correlates of willingness for PIHCT were being older
age group (AOR=4.16; 95% CI= 1.59-10.81), and had demand for HIV testing (AOR=29.13; 95% CI
=13.83-61.32).
vi
Key testing barriers include self trust (41.1%), lack of risk perception for HIV infection (24.4%), fear of
learning positive result (13.9%), and stigma and discrimination attached to TB and HIV as identified in
focus group discussions.
Early evidence of widespread support for PIHCT and moderate acceptance of HIV testing in this study
holds significant promise for the control, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and TB. Concerted
efforts to scale up PIHCT, however, must be accompanied by intensive IEC on TB /HIV along with
tackling of testing barriers.
Description
Keywords
Assessment of VCT Utilization, and Willingness