Relevance and Experiences of HIV Testing Models towards Three 95 Targets in Tanzania

Abstract

Abstract Background The government of Tanzania adopted the United Nation AIDS “95-95-95” strategy as a step to fast tracking HIV/AIDS free generation by 2030. The adoption was followed by expansion of HIV services to all health facility levels. The focus of the nation was to strengthen HIV testing services that is central to achieve the first 95- of UNAIDS fast-track target as adopted by Tanzania for which the second and third 95s are heavily dependent on. Achievement of first 95 was expected to drive the achievement of second 95 and third 95s.The study aimed to assess implementation of HIV testing model in increasing coverage of HIV testing at Pangani district council. Methods Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Pangani District Council. Purposive sampling technique was used to select health care providers from health facilities providing HIV testing services. Interview and focus group discussion used to collect primary data from facility in charge, CTC in charge and staffs working in CTC unit. Data from CTC 2 data base and DHIS 2 for monitoring HIV services were used. Descriptive analysis, phenomenological analysis and ethnographic analysis were used to summarize, organize and interpret data through Atlas ti software version 7. Results Pangani district council tested 106,232 people between 2016 and 2020. Out of tested people, 69, 460 (65.39%) were tested at five health facility through Amref supported program and 36,772 (34.61%) tested from 17 facilities that did not get support from Amref. Among the people tested for HIV 2,843 people (2.68%) were positive where: PITC contributed 73.40%, index contributed (18.15%), PMTCT contributed (4.22%) and VCT contributed (2.78%). Training on new HIV testing strategies, motivation of staff and availability of HIV testing kits were the factors associated to achievement. Conclusion The council has to establish regular on job training need assessment on provision of HIT at all levels. The council should prepare plan and allocate resources to the 18 facilities that did not get support from Amref. This plan and resources will help synthesize efforts to implementation of HIV testing models. The council should find another implementation partner in HIV services to cover the facilities that do not get support from Amref. Motivation supposed to be clear in terms of process, motivational factors, time interval and criteria for being motivated