Knowledge, attitude and practice of provider initiated testing and counseling provision among health care workers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Provider Initiated Testing and Counseling (PITC) was introduced in 2007 by WHO and UNAIDS to ensure universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services for People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV) . A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in July 2013 using a self-administered questionnaire among 94 health care workers in nine health facilities in Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania. The study intended to measure knowledge, attitude and practices in relation to provision of PITC among health care workers in government health facilities which provide comprehensive TB/HIV care and treatment services. Altogether, 45.7% of sampled health care workers were Clinical Officers with education above secondary level education. Majority (95.6%) of participants had high level of knowledge on principles of PITC provision. Moreover, 91% of the study participants had positive attitude towards PITC. Furthermore, provision of PITC services was significantly associated with training (P< 0.001) and supervision (P<0.001, OR 27.5). Most of the facilities observed to have guidelines (67%), privacy (78%) and HIV rapid test kits for PITC provision (100%). Majority of HCW indicated preference of PITC provision to be performed at RCH clinics (98.9%), OPD (98.9%) and IPD (96.6%). Increased access to test and counseling is important for early HIV identification, access to care and treatment and prevention of HIV transmission. Regular supportive supervision should be conducted to health facilities to ensure health care workers provide PITC services accordingly. NACP in collaboration with CHMT should provide and ensure availability of guidelines of PITC services to all health facilities.