Tilahun Ermeko*, Ahmed Yasin Mohammed and Abate Lette Wodera
Introduction: HIV testing and counselling is fundamental to both HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Patients need to know their sero- status to benefit from available care and treatment options. Therefore, multi focused testing and counselling strategies need to be instituted in order to reach risk group. Different factors might affect PIHTC service up take which demand timely assessment.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess acceptability level of PIHTC among TB patients in Bale Robe Hospital.
Method: Institution based cross sectional study was conducted from March – April/2013 at Bale Robe hospital TB clinic. Structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. The data was analysed and processed using SPSS version 22
Results and Discussion: Most of the patients were initiated for HIV testing by their TB treatment supervisor 265(94.64%). Among those who were initiated by their treatment supervisor for HIV testing, 210 (79.25%) had under gone HIV testing. Acceptability of PIHCT is more in common younger age group than elder, primary education (18.93%), secondary and above education (29.04%). The reported barriers for acceptability of PIHCT include no risk person for HIV infection 32(58.18%), fear of stigma and discrimination and not sure of confidentiality 5(9.09%), unable to cope the positive result 4(5.46%).
Conclusion and recommendations: The relatively high acceptability of PIHCT in this study shows fertile ground for the control, prevention and treatment of both HIV/AIDS and TB. The programmed needs to be strengthened and TB supervisors should keep their efforts to promote PIHCT.
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