Article type
Abstract
Objectives: In Nigeria, it is widely known that HIV retesting among PLHIV who know their status occurs, but there is limited evidence and understanding of the reasons why this happens. Retesting is a challenge for the management of HIV programmes as it has been shown to contribute to ''double counting'' and an erroneous increase in number of individuals reached with testing services. This study aimed to identify the reasons why and extent to which repeat HIV testing occurs.
Methods: With funding from USAID, MSH's ProACT project conducted structured interviews with 593 PLHIV enrolled in 10 secondary health facilities across three Northern Nigerian states of Kwara,Sokoto and Niger in October 2016. Responses were coded and data were analysed using SPSS version 21. Relationships between clients' disposition to retest for HIV and their socio-economic and demographic characteristics were also tested using Chi-square test at a confidence interval below 5%.
Results: A total of 593 participants participated in interviews. Mean age was 36.9 years. 73% (434) of the survey participants were female, and 27% were male. 143 (24%) of the survey participants self-reported to have retested for HIV after an initial positive test. Of this, 115 (80%) retested in the facility where they had their first HIV test. Of the 115 who retested in the same facility of original diagnosis, 40 retested once, 52 retested twice, and 23 retested more than twice. 101 survey participants gave reasons why they retested; 63 of them (62.3%) said they did a retest to confirm their result as they were in doubt after the initial diagnosis. 19 (18.8%) respondents believed that the ARVs may have changed their HIV status. Another 4% retested following spiritual consultations with faith leaders (pastors, Imams), while 7% retested following relocation from other cities.
Conclusions: Pre- and post-test counselling sessions and patient education should be strengthened to equip PLHIV with correct information and prevent retesting. Strengthening the use of unique client identification codes will aid providers in correctly documenting testers and prevent double-counting.
Methods: With funding from USAID, MSH's ProACT project conducted structured interviews with 593 PLHIV enrolled in 10 secondary health facilities across three Northern Nigerian states of Kwara,Sokoto and Niger in October 2016. Responses were coded and data were analysed using SPSS version 21. Relationships between clients' disposition to retest for HIV and their socio-economic and demographic characteristics were also tested using Chi-square test at a confidence interval below 5%.
Results: A total of 593 participants participated in interviews. Mean age was 36.9 years. 73% (434) of the survey participants were female, and 27% were male. 143 (24%) of the survey participants self-reported to have retested for HIV after an initial positive test. Of this, 115 (80%) retested in the facility where they had their first HIV test. Of the 115 who retested in the same facility of original diagnosis, 40 retested once, 52 retested twice, and 23 retested more than twice. 101 survey participants gave reasons why they retested; 63 of them (62.3%) said they did a retest to confirm their result as they were in doubt after the initial diagnosis. 19 (18.8%) respondents believed that the ARVs may have changed their HIV status. Another 4% retested following spiritual consultations with faith leaders (pastors, Imams), while 7% retested following relocation from other cities.
Conclusions: Pre- and post-test counselling sessions and patient education should be strengthened to equip PLHIV with correct information and prevent retesting. Strengthening the use of unique client identification codes will aid providers in correctly documenting testers and prevent double-counting.