FACTORS INFLUENCING CHOICE, ACCESS AND UTILIZATION OF HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING SERVICES IN SUBA, KENYA (2009)

1Oguta Zaddock Ogayo, 2Alloys SS Orago and 3Rosebella Onyango

Testing and Counseling for infection with HIV is an important strategy for prevention of the same. However national records show that number of people tested for HIV in Nyanza and Western Provinces relatively fell from 43071 to 37920 during 2007. Purpose was to assess factors influencing access and utilization of HTC services among clients aged 15-64 years. The cross-sectional study on 400 subjects adopted the quantitative and qualitative methods within three months of 2009. Descriptive and inferential statistics were generated and tested at p≤ 0.05. VCT service points had more clients (65%) than PITC model (35%). A larger proportion 168(42.0) of subjects provided with HTC services initially came for other issues. Men who had secondary level of education were 0.4 times more likely to utilize HIV testing and counseling services than other levels of education achievement (p=0.01, OR 95% CI: 0.4 (0.2-0.9). Among the females, skilled clients were six times more likely to utilize HTC services compared to other occupations (OR =5.5, P=0.002). Many subjects (59.5%) preferred integrated HTC services followed by Home Based Care at (19.8%). Majority (68.5%) preferred aware™ HIV 1 / 2 OMT Test Kit. High literacy levels and quality of service positively influenced utilization and access to HTC services. The gap on access and utilization of HTC services was wider at provider factors