title: Assessment of provider-initiated HIV screening in Nigeria with sub-Saharan African comparison.
abstract: Despite Nigeria's high HIV prevalence, voluntary testing and counselling rates remain low. UNAIDS/WHO/CDC recommends provider-initiated testing and counselling (PITC) for HIV in settings with high HIV prevalence. We aimed to assess the acceptability and logistical feasibility of the PITC strategy among adolescents and adults in a secondary health care centre in Idekpa Benue state, Nigeria.
  
  
  
  All patients (aged ≥ 13 years) who visited the out-patient department and antenatal care unit of General Hospital Idekpa, Benue state, Nigeria were offered PITC for HIV. The intervention was implemented by trained health professionals for the period spanning (June to December 2010).
  
  
  
  Among the 212 patients who were offered PITC for HIV, 199 (94%) accepted HIV testing, 10 patients (4.7%) opted out and 3 patients (1.4%) were undecided. Of the 199 participants who were tested for HIV, 9% were HIV seropositive. The PITC strategy was highly acceptable and feasible, and increased the number of patients who tested for HIV by 5% compared to voluntary counselling and testing. Findings from this assessment were consistent with those from other sub-Saharan African countries (such as Uganda and South Africa).
  
  
  
  PITC for HIV was highly acceptable and logistically feasible, and resulted in an increased rate of HIV testing among patients. Public health initiatives (such as the PITC strategy) that facilitate early detection of HIV and referral for early treatment should be encouraged for broader HIV control and prevention in Nigerian communities.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Research, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2571, Australia. felgbo@yahoo.co.uk.|General Hospital Idekpa, Ohimini Local Government Area, Benue State Hospitals Management Board, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. felgbo@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Felix A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Ogbo
authors.affiliation: Departement of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, Benue State University, PMB 102119, Makurdi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mogaji
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ogeleka
authors.affiliation: School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2571, Australia.
authors.forename: Kingsley E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Agho
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, P.M.B 2084, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Idoko
authors.affiliation: Prevention of Maternal-to-Child Transmission of HIV Unit, Benue State Ministry of Health, State Secretariat, High Level, PMB 102093, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Terver Zua
authors.initials: TZ
authors.lastname: Tule
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Research, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2571, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Page
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011634:Public Health; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: AIDS; Benue State; HIV; Nigeria; Provider-initiated testing and counselling