Process Evaluation on Voluntary Counseling and Testing At Jimma and Higher-2 Health Centers In Jimma City, Jimma- Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Voluntary Counseling and Testing is one of the key strategies in HIV/AIDS prevention and control in Ethiopia and link infected people to care and support. This intervention is a process evaluation of the voluntary counseling and testing program at Jimma and Higher-2 health centers, both of which are situated in Jimma city, Jimma Zone located in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. The objective of this evaluation is to assess the process of voluntary counseling and testing services. Method This evaluation applied multiple case study design using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The focus of evaluation is process and approach is formative. Compliance, Availability, and Acceptability were the dimensions used to measure the implementation of voluntary counseling and testing services. Data were collected through In-depth and client exit interviews, direct observation, and document review. A World Health Organization adopted checklist was used. Qualitative data was analyzed manually, and Quantitative data were entered using EPI-Data and later exported to SPSS-16 for analysis. Results Result from the observation of counseling sessions saw an average of 79.3% (good) and 68% (fair) at Higher-2 and Jimma respectively. Clients‟ perception of service provided is generally good. The overall performance of VCT services score an average of 74.6% and 75.6% for Jimma and Higher-2 health center respectively, which means GOOD according to our parameter of judgment Conclusion The Zonal Health Office Authorities need to redesign the counseling and testing room to meet the minimum required standard enshrined within the HIV counseling and testing guideline of Ethiopia, so that confidentiality and privacy for clients can be ensure, and appoint a laboratory technician to supervise for the VCT program.