Provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling for TB in low HIV prevalence settings: is it worthwhile?
BACKGROUND
We assessed the HIV-positive yield of offering provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling (PITC) for TB and the costs, in Madagascar, which has a low HIV prevalence and a high TB burden.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of routinely collected records from January 2010 to June 2011.


RESULTS
A total of 37 596 TB patients were registered in 205 TB centres. HIV testing was available in 95 (46%) of centres where 7524 (40%) of those offered testing accepted it. Only 35 (0.5%) individuals were found HIV positive. Initial costs were about US$1.4 million and annual recurrent costs about US$0.1 million.


CONCLUSIONS
There are concerns of cost investment for countrywide introduction of PITC in a low HIV prevalence setting.
HIV Prevention Strengthening Project, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Madagascar.
Shuko
S
Nagai
Roland
R
Robinson
Jacky Ranaivo
JR
Rahamefy
Sahondra Jeannine
SJ
Randriambeloson
Denis Andriatahina
DA
Ranaivomanana
Turibio
T
Razafindranaivo
Liva
L
Rakotobe
Adeline
A
Ranaivo
Sven Gudmund
SG
Hinderaker
Anthony D
AD
Harries
Rony
R
Zachariah
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000191:economics; D000328:Adult; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003376:Counseling / Q000191:economics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008270:Madagascar / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics*
HIV; Operational research; Provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling; TB; WHO