Acceptability of Provider Initiated HIV Counseling and Testing among Tuberculosis and Non-tuberculosis Patients in Shashemene Town, Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess the acceptability of Provider Initiated HIV Counseling and Testing (PIHCT) and factors influencing its service uptake among TB and non TB patients in Shashemene town of West Arsi Zone. Institution-based, comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2010, on 237 TB patients attending Tuberculosis clinics and 236 non TB patients who were offered PIHCT from outpatient department of Shashemene Hospital and Health Center. Data were collected using consecutive sampling until the required sample size was attained using structured questionnaire. Majority of the participants were male 286(60.5%), in the age group 25-34 years 172(36.4%), Muslim by religion 233 (49%).Among 473 study participants 86.3% (89.9% TB versus 82.6% non TB) had accepted PIHCT. TB patients are more likely to accept PICHT than non TB patients at AOR= 2.6; 95% CI (1.3, 5.0). Those who support importance of PIHCT were more likely to accept PIHCT at AOR=11.4; 95% CI (5.1, 25.4) than those who are against PIHCT. The acceptance rate of PIHCT is relatively higher in this study; TB patients were more likely to accept PIHCT than non TB patients. The programme needs to be strengthened in all settings for both TB and non TB patients since HIV testing and counseling stands out as paramount both in treatment and in prevention of HIV/AIDS.