Feasibility of provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling of tuberculosis patients under the TB control programme in two districts of South India.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling (PITC) is internationally recommended for tuberculosis (TB) patients, but the feasibility, effectiveness, and impact of this policy on the TB programme in India are unknown. We evaluated PITC of TB patients across two districts in India considered to have generalized HIV epidemics, Tiruchirappalli (population 2.5 million) and Mysore (population 2.8 million).

Methodology/principal findings

Starting June 2007, healthcare providers in both districts were instructed to ascertain HIV status for all TB patients, and refer those with unknown HIV status to the nearest Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC)--often in the same facility--for counselling and voluntary HIV testing. All TB patients registered from June 20

SUBMITTER: Vijay S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2774514 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature