Luwam Teshome Gari

Utilization of Provider Initiated Hiv Testing & Counseling Service: Utilization of Provider Initiated Hiv Testing and Counseling Services Among Tuberculosis Patients in Ethiopia Luwam Teshome Gari

Tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection is a major source of morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia. Routine offering of provider initiated HIV testing and counseling for TB patients is necessary to increase access to HIV care packages. However little is known about utilization of PITC service among tuberculosis patients in Ethiopia The main objective of this study is to assess the utilization of PITC service among TB patients in Ethiopia. Health facility based cross sectional survey was conducted from January to March 2010. A total of 385 participants were included in the study from seven health facilities. The study utilized both quantitative and qualitative study designs. Study participants were interviewed using structured questionnaire and three focus group discussions were conducted among TB patients. The utilization of PITC service among TB patients in the studied health facilities was 78.1%.