부산대학교 도서관

BACKGROUND: Despite the implementation of Provider Initiated Testing and Counselling (PITC) in 2009, PITC coverage remains low in Cote d’Ivoire. The purpose of this study is to determine whether an HIV test was offered and performed at specific life events where PITC is recommended by national guidelines. METHODS: In 2017, a cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted among a representative sample of 3,867 adults from the general population in Côte d’Ivoire. The occurrences of the following events over the past 5 years were documented: pregnancy (event A) or partner’s pregnancy (event B) of the last child, Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI, event C) and marriage (event D). For each of these events, participants were asked (i) if they consulted a healthcare professional, (ii) if they were offered an HIV test during that consultation and (iii) if they accepted it. RESULTS: Consulting a healthcare provider was reported by 94.9%, 58.3%, 70.3% and 19.1% of those who reported events A, B, C and D respectively. In case of medical consultations following events A, B, C and D, respectively 70.1%, 33.1%, 28.1%, and 78.8% of individuals were offered an HIV test. The testing acceptance was high regardless of the event. Overall, testing coverage was 63.7%, 16.9%, 13.4% and 14.5% for events A, B, C and D respectively. CONCLUSION: Increasing HIV testing coverage in Côte d’Ivoire requires (i) facilitating attendance to health services in case of STIs, marriage and pregnancy—for men—and (ii) strengthening routine testing offer on these occasions.