Willingness to HIV CT among STI cases

The presence of tangible scientific evidence that a person with an untreated STIs, particularly those inducing ulcers or discharge, is at an increased risk of passing on or acquiring HIV during sexual intercourse necessitates the relentless provision of HIV CT services. Likewise, the fact that many STI cases with HIV infection are unaware of their sero- status, and frequently, those who have been tested learn that they are HIV-infected too late to benefit from the recent psychosocial or medical advances, including ART, prophylaxis and treatment for OIs, and PMTCT services, provision of HIV testing in combination with appropriate counseling still remains to be an important tool in the public health response to HIV/AIDS. Moreover, the findings of this study have indicated the need for promotion and expansion of sustainable provider initiated HIV CT with subsequent follow up to STI patients as part of a continuum of services and support, and intensive patient-centered risk reduction counseling during the initial visit to health care facilities. Hopefully, the study has added an input on how to promote the provision of HIV CT to STI cases.

Autorentext

Mr Legese Alemayehu is a young Public Health practitioner currently working at Management Sciences for Health-Ethiopia as a quality assurance programme officer. He received his BSc in 2004 from Alemaya University and MPH in 2007 from Addis Ababa University. His research interests focus mainly on reproductive health, specifically HIV/AIDS.