Concerns about covert HIV testing are associated with delayed presentation in Ethiopian adults with suspected malaria: a cross-sectional study

BMC Public Health
Frew TadesseAndrew W Fogarty

Abstract

Although early diagnosis and prompt treatment is important in preventing mortality from malaria, presentation of symptomatic individuals is often relatively late. One possible contributing factor is that fear of covert human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing delays presentation in adults. We aimed to survey the magnitude of such concerns and their association with delayed presentation with suspected malaria. The study design was a health facility-based cross-sectional survey. The study population consisted of adults with suspected malaria who presented to health centres in central Ethiopia. Data were collected on attitudes to HIV testing and the duration between onset of symptoms and treatment seeking for suspected malaria. Eight hundred and ten individuals provided data. Of these, 406 (50 %) perceived that HIV testing was routinely done on blood donated for malaria diagnosis, and 327 (40 %) considered that community members delayed seeking medical advice because of these concerns. Concerns about HIV testing were associated with delays in attending for malaria diagnosis and treatment, with 117 individuals (29 %) of those with concerns about covert HIV testing waiting for 4 days or more, compared to 89 (22 %) of those who did...Continue Reading

References

Oct 25, 2007·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·Wakgari DeressaAhmed Ali
Nov 26, 2010·Malaria Journal·Lucy A SmithJayne Webster
Dec 24, 2010·Malaria Journal·Anthony K MbonyeClare Chandler
Dec 20, 2012·BMC Public Health·Colombe Coffie ComoéBenjamin G Koudou
Aug 21, 2013·Lancet·Nicholas J WhiteArjen M Dondorp

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