Is Community Conversation Associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Voluntary Counseling and Testing Service Uptake in Rural Communities in Ethiopia? A Comparative Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is a cost-effective tool to prevent and control human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immodeficiency syndrome. Community conversation (CC) is a community-based strategy meant to enhance the community utilization of VCT. However, the role of CC in VCT service uptake has not yet been evaluated. AIMS: This study was conducted to compare VCT service utilization between rural communities with well CC performance and rural communities with poor CC performance in Shebedino woreda. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative community-based study was conducted in 2010 among 462 selected adults in the age bracket of 15-59 years. VCT service uptake was compared between well CC performing communities and poor CC performing communities using two sample test of proportion. Predictors of VCT service uptake were determined using logistic regression model. RESULTS: Uptake of VCT service and the related VCT knowledge were statistically higher in well CC performing communities than poor CC performing communities; [73.0% vs. 54.1%, P < 0.001) vs. 97.8% vs. 93.8%, P = 0.034]. CC, VCT knowledge, and knowledge on HIV transmission were independent predictors of VCT service utilization. CONCLUSION: Uptake of VCT service is higher in well CC performing communities. Emphasis should be given to strengthen CC performance.