Abstract
Provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling (PITC) has expanded since 2007 WHO guidelines were established. We conducted
a systematic review of PITC in low- and middle-income countries. Peer-reviewed studies were included if they measured pre-post
or multi-arm outcomes. Two coders abstracted data using standardized forms. Nineteen studies were included, all from sub-Saharan
Africa (N = 15) or Asia (N = 4). Studies were conducted in clinics for antenatal/family planning/child health (N = 12), tuberculosis
(N = 4), outpatient (N = 1), sexually transmitted diseases (N = 1), and methadone maintenance (N = 1). HIV testing uptake
increased after PITC. Condom use also increased following PITC in most studies; nevirapine uptake and other outcomes were
mixed. Few negative outcomes were identified. Findings support PITC as an important intervention to increase HIV testing.
PITC’s impact on other outcomes is mixed, but does not appear to be worse than voluntary counseling and testing. PITC should
continue to be expanded and rigorously evaluated across settings and outcomes.
a systematic review of PITC in low- and middle-income countries. Peer-reviewed studies were included if they measured pre-post
or multi-arm outcomes. Two coders abstracted data using standardized forms. Nineteen studies were included, all from sub-Saharan
Africa (N = 15) or Asia (N = 4). Studies were conducted in clinics for antenatal/family planning/child health (N = 12), tuberculosis
(N = 4), outpatient (N = 1), sexually transmitted diseases (N = 1), and methadone maintenance (N = 1). HIV testing uptake
increased after PITC. Condom use also increased following PITC in most studies; nevirapine uptake and other outcomes were
mixed. Few negative outcomes were identified. Findings support PITC as an important intervention to increase HIV testing.
PITC’s impact on other outcomes is mixed, but does not appear to be worse than voluntary counseling and testing. PITC should
continue to be expanded and rigorously evaluated across settings and outcomes.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-20
- DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0241-y
- Authors
- Caitlin E. Kennedy, Social and Behavioral Interventions Program, Department of International Health, Room E5033, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Virginia A. Fonner, Social and Behavioral Interventions Program, Department of International Health, Room E5033, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Michael D. Sweat, The Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- F. Amolo Okero, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Rachel Baggaley, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Kevin R. O’Reilly, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Journal AIDS and Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-3254
- Print ISSN 1090-7165