Uptake of HIV Testing Services Through Novel Community-Based Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: An Analysis of the Pilot Implementation Phase of the Yathu Yathu Intervention for Adolescents and Young People Aged 15–24 in Lusaka, Zambia

Adolescents and young people aged 15–24 are underserved by available HIV-testing services (HTS). Delivering HTS through community-based, peer-led, hubs may prove acceptable and accessible to adolescents and young people, thus increasing HIV-testing coverage. We used data from the pilot phase of a cl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AIDS and behavior 2022, Vol.26 (1), p.172-182
Main Authors: Hensen, B., Phiri, M., Schaap, A., Sigande, L., Simwinga, M., Floyd, S., Belemu, S., Simuyaba, M., Shanaube, K., Fidler, S., Hayes, R., Ayles, H. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescents
Community Health Services
Female
Females
Health Psychology
Health risks
Health services
HIV
HIV Infections - diagnosis
HIV Infections - epidemiology
HIV Infections - prevention & control
HIV Testing
Hubs
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Infectious Diseases
Male
Males
Medical tests
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Original Paper
Public Health
Reproductive health
Reproductive Health Services
Risk perception
Sexual behavior
Sexual health
Sexually transmitted diseases
STD
Teenagers
Young adults
Youth
Zambia - epidemiology
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Summary:Adolescents and young people aged 15–24 are underserved by available HIV-testing services (HTS). Delivering HTS through community-based, peer-led, hubs may prove acceptable and accessible to adolescents and young people, thus increasing HIV-testing coverage. We used data from the pilot phase of a cluster-randomised trial of community-based sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents and young people in Lusaka, Zambia, between September 2019 and January 2020, to explore factors associated with uptake of HTS through community-based hubs. 5,757 adolescents and young people attended the hubs (63% female), among whom 75% tested for HIV (76% of females, 75% of males). Community-based hubs provided HTS to 80% of adolescents and young people with no history of HIV-testing. Among females, uptake of HTS was lower among married/cohabiting females; among males, uptake was lower among unmarried males and among individuals at risk of hazardous alcohol use. The high number of adolescents and young people accessing hubs for HIV testing suggests they are acceptable. Enhanced targeting of HTS to groups who may not perceive their HIV risk needs to be implemented.
ISSN:1090-7165
1573-3254
DOI:10.1007/s10461-021-03368-9