Factors affecting PITC uptake among pediatric patients at Bugando medical centre Mwanza, North Western Tanzania

Abstract

Introduction and background: The scaling up of PITC among children has not yet reached satisfactory levels in Sub- Saharan Africa, particularly in Tanzania. PITC level is still low among children in Tanzania where only 10% of children (<15months) are being tested for HIV). Yet in absence of effective HIV interventions about half of the children who live with HIV will die before their second birthday. Factors related to the low uptake of PITC among children are still not well studied especially from caretakers’ perspective. General objective: To determine factors affecting uptake of PITC among children (<12years) at Bugando Medical centre, Mwanza-Tanzania. Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional study design with both quantitative and qualitative methods. Sample size of 330 participants were interviewed, 326 for quantitative and 4 qualitative method. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were done, odds ratio was used as measure of association. Qualitative data was analyzed according to themes. Results: The overall PITC uptake was low; only about 14% of children were offered HCT and received their results. About 81% of the caretakers were not offered HCT for their children. . Caretakers who had never heard of PITC were more than 70% less likely to receive PITC services compared to those who have ever heard of it (OR=0.23, 95% CI=0.96, 0.55). Factors from qualitative study were lack of morale among HCWs, lack of training, test kits shortage, poor supervision and lack of communication between PITC supervisors and counselors. Conclusion: Majority of children who came into contact with BMC health facility were not offered HCT. Therefore, there is a need to addressing health facility issues including ensuring adequate numbers of counselors who are trained and with good morale, reliable supply of HIV test kits, strengthening supervision system and involving caretakers by educating them about PITC