scholarly journals Geographical variation in HIV testing in South Africa: Evidence from the 2017 national household HIV survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Jooste ◽  
Musawenkosi Mabaso ◽  
Myra Taylor ◽  
Alicia North ◽  
Yolande Shean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
District Level ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
North West ◽  
Spatial Targeting ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Background: 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.Objectives: The objective of this research study was to map the uptake of HIV testing at the district level in South Africa.Method: The 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.Results: The 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.Conclusion: The 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.

scholarly journals Do gifts increase consent to home-based HIV testing? A difference-in-differences study in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2016 ◽  
pp. dyw122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E McGovern ◽  
Kobus Herbst ◽  
Frank Tanser ◽  
Tinofa Mutevedzi ◽  
David Canning ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Difference In Differences ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

scholarly journals Implementation of HIV Self-Testing to Reach Men in Rural uMkhanyakude, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. a DO-ART Trial Sub Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nsika Sithole ◽  
Maryam Shahmanesh ◽  
Olivier Koole ◽  
Meighan Krows ◽  
Torin Schaafsma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Confirmatory Test ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Advisory Boards ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Study Team

Background: KwaZulu–Natal, South Africa has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates globally. Persons <35 years and men have lower rates of HIV testing. HIV self-testing (HIVST) may overcome many barriers of facility-based HIV testing in order to identify HIV positive young persons and men and link them to care. We investigated whether HIVST distribution was a feasible approach to reach men and assessed the proportion of participants who reported their HIVST results, tested positive and linked to care.Methods: Teams comprised of a nurse, clinic research assistant, and recruiters distributed HIVST kits in rural uMkhanyakude, KwaZulu-Natal from August—November 2018 with a focus on testing men. Workplaces (farms), social venues, taxi ranks, and homesteads were used as HIVST kit distribution points following community sensitisation through community advisory boards and community leaders. HIVST kits, demonstration of use, and small incentives to report testing outcomes were provided. The Department of Health provided confirmatory testing and HIV care at clinics.Results: Over 11 weeks in late 2018, we distributed 2,634 HIVST kits of which 2,113 (80%) were distributed to persons aged <35 years, 2,591 (98%) to men and 356 (14%) to first time testers. Of the HIVST distributed, 2,107 (80%) reported their results to the study team, and 157 (7%) tested positive. Of persons who tested positive, 107/130 (82%) reported having a confirmatory test of which 102/107 (95%) were positive and initiated on ART. No emergencies or social harms were reported.Conclusion: Large scale distribution of HIVST kits targeting men in rural KwaZulu-Natal is feasible and highly effective in reaching men, including those who had not previously tested for HIV. While two-thirds of persons who tested HIV positive initiated ART, additional linkage strategies are needed for those who do not link after HIVST. HIVST should be used as a tool to reach men in order to achieve 95% coverage in the UNAIDS testing and care cascade in KwaZulu-Natal.

scholarly journals Repeat HIV testing practices in the era of HIV self-testing among adults in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

PLoS ONE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. e0212343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlene Harichund ◽  
Pinky Kunene ◽  
Sinenhlanhla Simelane ◽  
Quarraisha Abdool Karim ◽  
Mosa Moshabela
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Testing Practices ◽  
Repeat Hiv Testing

scholarly journals Testing strategies for couple engagement in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and family health in Kenya: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Kwena ◽  
Liza Kimbo ◽  
Lynae A. Darbes ◽  
Abigail M. Hatcher ◽  
Anna Helova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Standard Care ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Child Transmission ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Mother To Child ◽  
Testing And Counseling

Abstract Background HIV-related maternal deaths and HIV infection among infants remain unacceptably high across sub-Saharan Africa despite increased antenatal care attendance and provision of antiretroviral therapy to pregnant women. In the Jamii Bora (“Better Family” in Swahili) Study, we seek to test the efficacy of an interdependence theory-based couple intervention. The intervention reaches pregnant women and male partners through home visits by male-female pairs of lay health workers. The aim is to increase access to home-based couples’ HIV testing and counseling services to improve family health. Methods This is a three-arm randomized control trial among 1080 pregnant women 15 years of age or older, living with their male partners, and who have not undergone couples’ HIV testing and counseling in Kisumu and Migori Counties in Kenya. Couples will be randomized into three groups: home-based couple visits, HIV self-testing kits for couple use, or standard care (male partner clinic invitation letters). Participants will be followed up to 18 months postpartum. The study has three aims: in aim 1, we will determine the effects of the intervention on our primary outcome of couple HIV testing, compared to HIV self-testing kits and standard care; in aim 2, we will examine the intervention impact on HIV prevention behaviors, facility delivery, and postnatal healthcare utilization, as well as secondary health outcomes of maternal viral suppression and HIV-free child survival up to 18 months for couples living with HIV; and in aim 3, we will compare the cost-effectiveness of the home-based couple intervention to the less resource-intensive strategies used in the other two study arms. Assessments with couples are conducted at baseline, late pregnancy, and at months 3, 6, 12, and 18 after birth. Discussion The results from this study will inform decision-makers about the cost-effective strategies to engage pregnant couples in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission and family health, with important downstream benefits for maternal, paternal, and infant health. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03547739. Registered on May 9, 2018

scholarly journals A serological survey of leptospirosis in cattle of rural communities in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2009 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
U.W. Hesterberg ◽  
R. Bagnall ◽  
B. Bosch ◽  
K. Perrett ◽  
R. Horner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Agglutination Test ◽  
District Level ◽  
Sampling Point ◽  
Serological Survey ◽  
Test Sensitivity ◽  
Apparent Prevalence ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Leptospira Interrogans Serovar Pomona

A serological survey of leptospirosis in cattle originating from rural communities of the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in South Africa was carried out between March 2001 and December 2003. The survey was designed as a 2-stage survey, using the local dip tank as the primary sampling point. In total, 2021 animals from 379 dip tanks in 33 magisterial districts were sampled and tested with the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). The apparent prevalence at district level was adjusted for clustering and diagnostic test sensitivity and specificity and displayed in maps. The prevalence of leptospirosis in cattle originating from communal grazing areas of KZN was found to be 19.4% with a 95% confidence interval of 14.8-24.1 %. At district level the prevalence of leptospirosis varied from 0 to 63 % of cattle. Bovine leptospirosis was found to occur in communal grazing areas throughout the province with the exception of 2 districts. The southeastern regions showed a higher prevalence than other areas of the province; while in some of the northern and western districts a lower prevalence was noted. Several serovars were detected by the MAT and although Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona occurred most frequently, serovars tarrasovi, bratislava, hardjo, canicola and icterohaemorrhagica were also frequently identified. The findings of the survey are discussed.

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