Acceptance of HIV Testing among Caregivers of Children Using Provider-Initiated Testing and Counselling Strategy in Ido-ekiti, Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study

摘要

Missed opportunities exist for early detection of HIV infection in children visiting healthcare institutions. Provider Initiated Testing and Counselling (PITC) strategy is a means for reducing missed opportunities for children who are HIV exposed or infected. It enhances the access of such children to HIV preventive measures, care interventions and treatment. There is a gap in knowledge concerning the acceptability of the PITC strategy in detection of HIV infected or exposed Nigerian children, most especially Children from Ekiti state.Aim: To determine the acceptability of PITC Strategy for HIV testing among caregivers of children seen at the Paediatric Emergency Unit of FMC, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State and the factors that influenced acceptability.Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, hospital-based cross-sectional study on acceptability of HIV testing using PITC model. Consecutive caregivers of patients attending the PEU for the first time aged 6 weeks-15 years were offered HIV testing using WHO guideline on PITC. Pre-test and post-test information was provided in individual sessions. Those whose HIV status was already known were excluded. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 15.0.Results: An amount of 530 out of 543 counselled for HIV testing gave consent for the test. The age range of the caregivers was 19-56 years with a mean of 30.2 (±6.8) years. The predominant group of caregivers in attendance were mothers only accounting for 504 (92.8%) of the total 530 caregivers studied. Acceptability rate was inversely associated with the level of education and social class of the caregivers. An amount of 348 (99.4%) of the 350 caregivers whose wards required admission accepted testing, while 182 (94.3%) of 193 caregivers whose wards did not require admission accepted testing. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.001).Conclusion: Acceptability rate for HIV testing, using PITC Strategy was high in all the age-groups of the caregivers; acceptability rate was however inversely related to the level of education and social class.