Patient’s Characteristics that Influence Provider Initiated HIV Testing and Counselling Service Uptake in Siaya County, Western Kenya

Introduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) contributes 29.3% of all deaths in Kenya and is among leading causes of mortality in the Country. Kenya National HIV prevalence is at 4.9% with 38% of people living with HIV unaware of their HIV status, hence the need to assess patient’s characteristics that influence Provider Initiated HIV Testing and Counseling (PITC) service uptake.

Methodology: This was a cross sectional study design done in Siaya County western Kenya. Data was collected from 369 patients using structured questionnaire and variable characteristics summarized descriptively.

Results: 55.0%(203) of patients were aged 18-27 years and 70%(258) were female. Those with basic education were 77.5%(286) and 51.3%(189) were married. Patients aged 28-37 years were twice more likely to take up PITC services (OR=2.084, 95%CI=0.137-2.964, p-value=<0.001). The singles (OR=8.509, 95%CI=0.275-1.350, p-value=0.033) were nine times more likely to take up PITC services as compared to the married. Patients with secondary school education (OR=1.640, 95%CI=0.163-1.701, p-value=0.021) were more likely to take up PITC services as compared to those with primary level of education. Employed patients were more likely to take up the PITC services as compared to those in business (OR=3.549, 95%CI=0.005-0.736, p-value=0.027). Repeat HIV testers were four times more associated with PITC service uptake as compared to the first time testers (OR=4.350, 95%CI=1.259-1.822, p-value=0.018). Knowledge on HIV was twice more associated with the uptake of PITC service as compared to HIV stigma reduction (OR=2.403, 95%CI=0.251-1.682, p-value=0.018).

Conclusion: Patients aged 28-37 years, secondary school education, single never married, being employed, a repeat HIV tester and having knowledge on HIV were factors influencing PITC service uptake. Siaya county government needs to design communication strategies targeting the elderly, illiterate, married and put in place mobilization and advocacy approaches that will increase public knowledge on HIV testing.