A cross sectional study to assess the client's satisfaction with services provided at integrated counselling and testing centers for HIV/AIDS in selected districts of Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is one of the global pandemic that continues to spread at an alarming rate with over 6,000 new infections per day. The purpose of this work was to ascertain the satisfaction of the clients by the services provided at the ICTCs centers. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among clients attending Integrated Counselling and Testing Centers (ICTC) centers located at district hospitals of Indore division. The study was conducted keeping in consideration the original guidelines issued by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and Madhya Pradesh State AIDS prevention and Control Society (MPSACS) during the inception of the integrated counselling and testing centers. The clients were clients served by selected ICTCs. Sample size was calculated by using OpenEpi software, version 2. Results: The present study highlights the fact that among the clients interviewed, male contribute (66.56%) while female clients comprised 34.45%. According to the study 90.8% of clients were aged between 18-50 years (the most sexually active age group). The study found that nearly one quarter (21.85%) of the clients were of direct walk in type, which is lower than a study conducted integrated counseling and testing centre (ICTC) of a tertiary care hospital (27%). There was low intention to share the test results with partners only 55.8% (N=86) this may be due to poor communication between partners due to traditional beliefs in our society, difficulty in discussing sensitive subjects such as sex, among the clients who received their test result. Conclusions: Majority of the clients were satisfied with the services provided at the ICTC. Illiterate clients were more satisfied as compared to the literate clients. More female clients were share the test result with their partner compared to male clients.