Assessing acceptability and feasibility of provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling in Ghana.
t In Ghana, HIV voluntary counseling and testing remains poorly utilized. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended opt-out, provider-initiated testing and counseling (PITC) in order to increase utilization and earlier intervention. Yet implementation challenges remain in resource-scarce settings. This study sought to better understand the dynamics of providing PITC at Apam Catholic Hospital, a district referral hospital in Ghana. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare providers and patients exploring attitudes regarding PITC, community stigma, and HIV knowledge. Results showed healthcare providers believed PITC would lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention, but concerns persisted over increased costs. Patients welcomed PITC, but expressed discomfort in opting-out. Patients demonstrated incomplete HIV knowledge and widely believed spiritual healers and prayer can cure the infection. Acceptance of PITC by both healthcare providers and patients remains high, but concerns over resource costs and HIV knowledge persist as challenges. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2017-08.asp].
['Tabb|Zachary|Z|', 'Moriarty|Kathleen|K|', 'Schrier|Madeleine W|MW|', 'Amekah|Ebenezer|E|', 'Flanigan|Timothy P|TP|', 'Lartey|Margaret|M|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel D003376:Counseling D005240:Feasibility Studies D005260:Female D005869:Ghana D015658:HIV Infections D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice D006801:Humans D007407:Interviews as Topic D008297:Male D008403:Mass Screening D008875:Middle Aged D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care D036301:Qualitative Research D057545:Social Stigma D016312:Treatment Refusal D055815:Young Adult
provider-initiated testing and counseling resource-scarce HIV knowledge opt-out testing