Client satisfaction with HIV counseling services: a cross-sectional study from south India.

Background: Client satisfaction is a good predictor of performance of health programs. Hence, clients' perception and satisfaction studies provide insight to improve the program.

Purpose: To assess clients' perception and satisfaction with Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) for HIV in an operational setting.

Methods: A total of 191 client exit interviews from 12 ICTCs. The clients were stratified into general and antenatal clients. A systematic random sampling was done at high client load centers.

Results: Cumulative client satisfaction was found to be 60% (±24%). Most of the clients (76%) agreed that counseling cleared doubts about HIV and found counseling beneficial (71%). Only 32% of the clients could recall issues discussed during the sessions. However, 92.5% were satisfied with ICTC facilities.

Conclusions: Poor perception and low satisfaction with ICTCs needs to be addressed as this could have a direct bearing on the program.