Does provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling lead to higher HIV testing rate and HIV case finding in Rwandan clinics?

Table 1 Characteristics of health facilities included in the PITC study, Rwanda 2009-10

Study site	Province	Level of urbanization	Type	Total attendees^a	Intervention^b	Remarks
Rwaza	Northern	Rural	Health center	7,147	Option 1	HF staff started some form of PITC already prior to phase 1
Kinyinya	Kigali City	Urban	Health center	7,964	Option 1
Ruhengeri	Northern	Semi-urban	Hospital	9,191	Option 2	No VCT department at this HF; clients were referred to Muhoza
Muhoza	Northern	Semi-urban	Health center	26,125	Option 2	HF located next to Ruhengeri hospital (500 m).
Kibagabaga	Kigali City	Urban	Hospital	6,771	Option 3	This hospital was affected by managerial changes during phase 3
Kimironko	Kigali City	Urban	Health center	13,135	Option 3
Gasiza (c)	Northern	Rural	Health center	7,535	Control
Kabuye (c)	Kigali City	Semi-urban	Health center	6,980	Control	Staff initiated some form of PITC during phase 3 on their own initiative.

^aTotal attendees: people that sought health services in all departments (Antenatal Care, Family Planning, Out-patients department, Tuberculosis department, Voluntary counseling and testing) at the study sites during the study periods, March-May 2009 and December 2009-February 2010
^bOption 1 involved a rapid test by the health care worker (HCW) using a finger-prick blood sample in the consultation department. Option 2 involved a test on a venous blood sample drawn by the HCW and sent to the laboratory for rapid testing. Option 3 involved the HCW offering the test, and upon consent sending the attendee to the laboratory for a venous blood draw and rapid testing. In all options, HCWs provided post-test counseling
Abbreviations: HF Health Facility, PITC Provider Initiated testing and Counseling, VCT Voluntary Counseling and testing