In Ghana, HIV voluntary counseling and testing remains
poorly utilized. The World Health Organization (WHO)
has recommended opt-out, provider-initiated testing and
counseling (PITC) in order to increase utilization and earlier
intervention. Yet implementation challenges remain
in resource-scarce settings. This study sought to better
understand the dynamics of providing PITC at Apam
Catholic Hospital, a district referral hospital in Ghana.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare
providers and patients exploring attitudes regarding
PITC, community stigma, and HIV knowledge. Results
showed healthcare providers believed PITC would lead
to earlier diagnosis and intervention, but concerns persisted
over increased costs. Patients welcomed PITC, but
expressed discomfort in opting-out. Patients demonstrated
incomplete HIV knowledge and widely believed spiritual
healers and prayer can cure the infection. Acceptance
of PITC by both healthcare providers and patients
remains high, but concerns over resource costs and HIV
knowledge persist as challenges.