an assessment of the zimbabwe ministry of health and child welfare provider initiated hiv testing and counselling programme评估津巴布韦卫生和儿童福利部提供者发起的艾滋病毒检测和咨询项目.pdfVIP

Sibanda et al. BMC Health Services Research 2012, 12:131 /1472-6963/12/131 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access An assessment of the Zimbabwe ministry of health and child welfare provider initiated HIV testing and counselling programme 1,2* 3 4 4 4 3 Euphemia L Sibanda , Karin Hatzold , Owen Mugurungi , Getrude Ncube , Beatrice Dupwa , Pester Siraha , 4 5 5 2,1 Lydia K Madyira , Alexio Mangwiro , Gaurav Bhattacharya and Frances M Cowan Abstract Background: Provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling (PITC) is widely recommended to ensure timely treatment of HIV. The Zimbabwe Ministry of Health introduced PITC in 2007. We aimed to evaluate institutional capacity to implement PITC and investigate patient and health care worker (HCW) perceptions of the PITC programme. Methods: Purposive selection of health care institutions was conducted among those providing PITC. Study procedures included 1) assessment of implementation procedures and institutional capacity using a semi-structured questionnaire; 2) in-depth interviews with patients who had been offered HIV testing to explore perceptions of PITC, 3) Focus group discussions with HCW to explore views on PITC. Qualitative data was analysed according to Framework Analysis. Results: Sixteen health care institutions were selected (two central, two provincial, six district hospitals; and six primary care clinics). All institutions at least offered PITC in part. The main challenges which prevented optimum implementation were shortages of staff trained in PITC, HIV rapid testing and counselling; shortages of appropriate counselling space, and,