The role of the community conversation approach in facilitating HIV/AIDS competence and utilisation of testing services in Africa: the case of Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: HIV/AIDS is a global epidemic. Although unpublished studies showed that the number of AIDS related deaths has fallen by 39% between 2005 and 2013 in sub-Saharan Africa, the region still accounted for 74% of all the people dying from AIDS-related causes. While the community conversation approach (CCA) is increasingly advocated for HIV prevention in developing countries, its impact on measurable outcomes regarding HIV/AIDS competence and HIV testing practices has not been well established. The aim of this study was to examine the role of CCA on HIV/AIDS competence and recent HIV testing practice in Ethiopia.