Assessing the need and capacity for integration of Family Planning and HIV counseling and testing in Tanzania.

INTRODUCTION: In Tanzania, only 27% of currently married women are using modern Family Planning (FP) methods. HIV counseling and testing outlets are potential avenues for addressing the unmet FP needs through integration of FP and HIV services, reaching out to sexually active people. This study assessed capacity for integrating family planning into HIV voluntary counseling and testing services (HTC) in Dar-es-Salaam (DSM) and Coast regions.

METHODS: This was a mixed methods study using triangulation model conducted in two districts to represent rural and urban settings. Questionnaires were administered to 147 randomly selected service users and 35 health providers while 10 in-depth interviews were conducted among Ministry of Health and Local government. Four focus group discussions were conducted among HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) service users. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with aid of SPSS. Qualitative data were analyzed by thematic framework approach.

RESULTS: Although there was gap in policy and guidelines with regards to integration, policy makers were willing to pioneer integration of FP and HIV services. Health providers support provision of FP/VCT services by the same health provider. Only 25% of health providers were trained on both FP and HTC services. Existing national monitoring and evaluation tools can be used with little modification to capture data for both services. Eighty five percent (85%) of clients indicated satisfaction with integrated services.

CONCLUSION: Integration of FP and HTC is feasible and acceptable with minor re-arrangement. Involvement of multiple stakeholders especially at district level is critical in enhancing integration.