Abstract

HIV testing and counseling (HTC) indicators are captured for programming, decision making and program monitoring and evaluation. A preliminary review of Midlands province HTC data showed that a small proportion of men and children were being tested for HIV. The secondary HTC data to determine trends to inform programming was therefore analyzed. A descriptive study using secondary HTC data was carried out. Microsoft Excel was used to come up with Chi square for trends analysis and p-values were generated using Epi info 7. There were 623,174 clients in the HTC dataset from 2010 to 2014. There was a significant increase in HTC coverages from 4% (n=59 512) in 2010 to 21% (n=382 559) in 2014 (X2= 898 517; p<0.01). All districts recorded the highest HTC coverages in 2014, Gokwe having the lowest coverage of 14% (n=4 778). HTC positivity rates declined from 29% in 2010 to 7% in 2014 (X2= 32 551; p<0.01). There was a significant increase in HTC coverages across all age groups, sexes and districts. Positivity rates were significantly higher among males than females. Low HTC coverages and high positivity rates among men indicate the urgent need for routine HTC educational campaigns and behavior change communication programs for men.

Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus testing and counseling, secondary dataset analysis, Zimbabwe.

Abbreviation

ANC, Antenatal care; ART, antiretroviral therapy; AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; DHIS,       district health information system; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; HSO, health studies office; HTC, HIV testing and counseling; MC, male circumcision; OI, opportunistic infections; PEP, post exposure prophylaxis; PITC, provider initiated testing and counseling; PMD, provincial medical director; PMTCT, prevention of mother to child HIV transmission; STI, sexually transmitted infections; TB, tuberculosis; VCT, voluntary HIV counseling and testing.