European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

STATUS OF HIV TESTING SERVICES AND COMPETENCY LEVEL OF HIV TESTERS AND COUNSELORS IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTERS IN IBADAN METROPOLIS, OYO-STATE, NIGERIA

Christiana Adeyoola Oluwamotemi, F. A. Okanlawon, Ademola Adelekan, 4Oluwatomi Olunuga

ABSTRACT

Uptake of HIV testing services has been poor and statistics show that HIV has spread extensively in urban and rural areas of Nigeria with a person becoming infected with HIV every minute. Poor quality of care is one of the most common reasons why clients would not choose to use available health services. This study therefore explored the status of HIV testing services and competency level of HIV testers and counsellors in primary health care centres in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo-State, Nigeria. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A four-stage sampling technique was used to select health workers from PHCs and semi-structured questionnaire and observational checklist were used for data collection. HCT sessions by counsellor testers were observed, and questionnaires were self-administered among other health care providers. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Respondents’ mean age was 36.14 ± 12.58 years. Observational checklist revealed that 93.3% of the respondents had poor interpersonal relationship, 100% had poor pre-test counseling practice and good HIV testing practice. Majority (80.0%) of the respondents had good handling and disposal of contaminated items practice and 80% had low competency level. From the questionnaire, it was reported that insufficient consumables, insufficient staff, no privacy, low quality services were some of the challenges affecting HIV testing services as stated by 56.4%, 25.5%, 12.8%, 10.6% of the respondents. This study revealed that primary health care centers have pre and post-test HIV counseling services but inadequate counseling rooms to effectively achieve the best result of the available counseling services. Majority of the HIV testers and counselors had low competency level. Government and non-governmental organisations should play active role in training HIV testers and counselors and provide all resources needed to ensure effective HIV counselling and testing services in Primary Health Care centers in Ibadan Metropolis.

Keywords: HIV, Primary Health Care centres, HIV testing services, Health care providers.