Abstract
BackgroundIdentification of the geographical areas with low uptake of HIV testing could assist in spatial targeting of interventions to improve the uptake of HIV testing.ObjectivesThe objective of this research study was to map the uptake of HIV testing at the district level in South Africa.MethodThe secondary analysis used data from the Human Sciences Research Council’s 2017 National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey, where data were collected using a multistage stratified random cluster sampling approach. Descriptive spatial methods were used to assess disparities in the proportion of those ever tested for HIV at the district level in South Africa.ResultsThe districts with the highest overall coverage of people ever having tested for HIV (> 85%) include West Rand in Gauteng, Lejweleputswa and Thabo Mofutsanyane in Free State, and Ngaka Modiri Molema in North-West. These provinces also had the least variation in HIV testing coverage between their districts. Districts in KwaZulu-Natal had the widest variation in coverage of HIV testing. The districts with the lowest uptake of HIV testing were uMkhanyakude (54.7%) and Ugu (61.4%) in KwaZulu-Natal and Vhembe (61.0%) in Limpopo. Most districts had a higher uptake of HIV testing amongst female than male participants.ConclusionThe uptake of HIV testing across various districts in South Africa seems to be unequal. Intervention programmes must improve the overall uptake of HIV testing, especially in uMkhanyakude and Ugu in KwaZulu-Natal and Vhembe in Limpopo. Interventions must also focus on enhancing uptake of HIV testing amongst male participants in most districts. Strategies that would improve the uptake of HIV testing include HIV self-testing and community HIV testing, specifically home-based testing.
Highlights
Eastern and Southern Africa is home to 53% of the 36.9 million people living with HIV globally,[1] with an estimated 75% of people living with HIV who knew their HIV status by the end of 2017.1there was a 42% reduction of AIDS-related illnesses, as a result of the increase in HIV testing and treatment coverage between 2010 and 2017.1South Africa has one of the largest HIV testing services (HTS), which is a crucial component of national HIV response.[2]
The South African National AIDS Council continues to provide a platform for engagement between the civil society and government to work together on the HIV response.[6]
This study demonstrated the utility of visually displaying spatial inequities in HIV testing using nationally representative data by presenting simple maps for targeted priority setting
Summary
Eastern and Southern Africa is home to 53% of the 36.9 million people living with HIV globally,[1] with an estimated 75% of people living with HIV who knew their HIV status by the end of 2017.1there was a 42% reduction of AIDS-related illnesses, as a result of the increase in HIV testing and treatment coverage between 2010 and 2017.1South Africa has one of the largest HIV testing services (HTS), which is a crucial component of national HIV response.[2]. South Africa has made progress towards the UNAIDS 90-9090 targets, especially regarding HIV testing and viral load suppression.[4] Over the past decade, the country had made excellent progress in involving more people to test and become aware of their HIV status, after the launch of two national HIV testing initiatives: firstly, the national HIV testing and counselling (HTC) campaign that took place in 2010, and secondly, the HTC revitalisation strategy in 2013.5 As a result of these campaigns and other similar campaigns, more than 10 million people in South Africa test for HIV every year.[5] In scaling up efforts around HTS interventions, civil society organisations continue to work with government departments in South Africa. Identification of the geographical areas with low uptake of HIV testing could assist in spatial targeting of interventions to improve the uptake of HIV testing
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
