Abstract:
The public health burden posed by tuberculosis (TB) has become a manor of concern especially as them HIV/AIDS pandemic unfolds in sub-Saharan countries like Nigeria. HIV counseling and testing (HOT) which is an important part of TB-HIV/AIDS collaborative service flows for early detection of HIV- infection in TB patients. Although the benefit of HIV counselling and testing may not be in doubt, their uptake by adult TB patients attending TB clinic remains a source Of worry.
It is the objective of this study to explore the patients' perspective on barriers to uptake
of HOT by adult TB patients attending TB clinic in Imo state. Also specific effort was made to determine the barrier in the knowledge, attitude and practice of HIV counseling and testing among adult TB patients, as well as the challenges faced by the health care providers of TB/HIV collaborative services with rasped to the uptake of HOT by TB patients' barrier fade inherent with the program. –
This was a cross -sectional study carried out over 4-month period in Imo State. It involved both qualitative and quantitative components. Pre-tested questionnaires were used to collect information from selected TB patients and health-care providers. In addition, focus group discussions were conducted with groups TB patients and in-depth interviews with some health care providers.
In the study, the male to female is 1:1; and is dominated by age 31 - 40 years, singles, traders and respondents with secondary level of education. Most of the respondents got their first awareness of HIV through the television and radio. There is statistical significance in association of uptake Of HCT with age, education level, occupation, awareness Of HOT, knowledge that all patients should know HIV status and location of HIV test lab. And the lowest uptake of HCT is associated with age above 60 years, no formal education and the farmers
