Assessment of factors associated with the uptake of Provider initiated HIV counselling and testing (PITC) among clients at Kenyatta National Hospital Accident and Emergency Department, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

HIV/AIDS has contributed to a high proportion of morbidity and mortality among people around the globe. Without proper care and treatment many more people will continue to perish, hence, to curb this, proper preventive measure needs to be put in place, for instance HIV testing and counseling. Despite the importance of this step, most HIV. infected patients are unaware of their HIV status. To improve the HIV status awareness, provider.initiated counseling and testing (PITC) was introduced. This study aimed to assess factors associated with PITC uptake. A cross sectional hospital.based survey of patients visiting Kenyatta National Hospital Accident and Emergency Department was carried out between August 2010 and November 2010. The survey comprised of 340 participants. A high proportion (96.2%) of the patients accepted to test for HIV. There was a significant association between PITC uptake and informal employment (P = 0.006), HIV risk behaviors (p = 0.04), decision to allow their children play with HIV positive children (p = 0.018), and fearing HIV test (P < 0.001). Having informal employment, HIV risk behaviours and not fearing to test for HIV was significantly associated with PITC uptake. More studies need to be carried out to identify barriers to PITC uptake.

Keywords: PITC, risk behaviours, HIV/AIDS, Stigma, discrimination