Evaluation of HIV Testing Services in Faith-Based Hospitals in Anambra State

Faith-based hospitals (FBHs) serve a large proportion of Nigeria's healthcare demand, particularly in South East states, and their participation in HIV testing services (HTS) is critical to national HIV programme coverage. This study evaluates the quality and reach of HIV testing services at faith-based hospitals in Anambra State, South East Nigeria. A cross-sectional facility assessment will be conducted at 20 registered faith-based hospitals across Awka, Onitsha, and Nnewi health zones. Assessment domains will include availability of approved HTS algorithms and test kits, provider training status, documentation practices, linkage to care rates for reactive clients, confidentiality safeguards, and volume of tests conducted per month. Exit interviews with 300 clients who received HTS at these facilities will assess satisfaction with counselling quality, perceived confidentiality, and willingness to recommend HTS to others. Studies from South East Nigeria suggest FBH clients have higher HTS uptake than government facility clients, yet documentation and linkage quality may be suboptimal due to weaker programmatic oversight. Findings will provide the Anambra State HIV Programme Coordination Unit with a detailed assessment of FBH HTS quality and inform advocacy for formalised HTS supportive supervision within the faith-based hospital sector. Keywords: HIV testing services, faith-based hospitals, Anambra State, HTS quality, linkage to care