HIV self-testing in adolescents living in Sub-Saharan Africa

Med Mal Infect. 2020 Nov;50(8):648-651. doi: 10.1016/j.medmal.2020.07.007. Epub 2020 Aug 13.

Abstract

Less than 20% of African adolescents aged 10-19 years are aware of their HIV status, whereas HIV screening remains the gateway to care and while AIDS has become the leading cause of death among adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the UNAIDS target, scalable HIV testing strategies specific to various age groups, populations, and geographical areas must be implemented to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Many African countries have implemented policies supporting HIV self-testing (HIVST). Evidence of practicability and efficiency of HIVST in Sub-Saharan Africa settings has been reported, including HIVST data among adolescents. Adapted strategies of HIVST are urgently needed to promote HIV testing among adolescents living in sub-Saharan Africa.

Keywords: Adolescents; HIV self-testing; Sub-Saharan Africa.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Africa South of the Sahara / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections* / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections* / epidemiology
  • HIV Testing
  • Humans
  • Self-Testing*