Research Article - Allied Journal of Medical Research (2021) Volume 5, Issue 2

Magnitude of provider initiated HIV testing and counseling among pregnant women and its associated factors in arsi zone, Ethiopia.

Background: HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) is mandatory for prevention, care, and treatment and support services among pregnant women. However its uptake is low in Ethiopia therefore this study tried to assess the gaps in Arsi zone on factors affecting utilization of provider initiated HIV testing and counseling among pregnant women. Objectives: To assess utilization of Provider Initiated HIV Testing and Counseling (PITC) and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care service. Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among 354 pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) service in randomly selected public health facilities of Arsi Zone from June 1 to July 30 2018. Results: In this study, magnitude of Provider Initiated HIV Testing and Counseling (PITC) utilization was 85%.Women with primary education were 4.89 times more likely to utilize PITC as compared to those with no formal education. Women who were government employee were 4.82 times more likely to utilize PITC as compared to unemployed women; women in third trimester of pregnancy were 3.69 times more likely to utilize PTIC as compared to those in their first trimester of pregnancy. While urban residents were 66% less likely to utilize PITC as compared to rural residents. Conclusion and Recommendation: In our study magnitude of PITC utilization was 85%. Educational level, occupation, trimester of pregnancy and residence were predictors of PITC utilization among pregnant women. Counseling and testing should be strengthened to promote PITC utilization among pregnant women to reduce HIV transmission.

Author(s): Biniyam Anbese, Gebi Husen, Dagne Mulu, Daniel Atlaw

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