Community- and facility-based HIV testing interventions in northern Tanzania: Midterm results of Test & Treat Project

PLoS One. 2022 Apr 12;17(4):e0266870. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266870. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Test & Treat Project offers universal HIV testing and access to antiretroviral treatment in Northern Tanzania. The current cross-sectional study provides midterm results on HIV testing and counseling activities through community outreaches and facility-based services. A total 255,329 HIV tests were performed: 198,451 (77.7%) during testing campaigns in the villages, 12,592 (4.9%) during special events outreach and 44,286 (17.4%) in the health facilities. Females represented 53.8% (23,809) among those tested in the health facilities, while males were the majority in the community (54.4%, 114,835). Over one third of tests (n = 104,605, 41%) were performed among first-time testers. The overall HIV positivity rate was 1.2%, ranging from 0.7% in the community to 3.8% in the health facilities and decreased over time. Using a multivariable analysis, a positive test result was associated with age ≥ 50 years (PR 1.22, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.34), with female gender (PR 1.61, 95% CI 1.50 to 1.73), being tested in health facilities (PR 5.00, 95% CI 4.65 to 5.36) and for the first time (PR 1.86, 95% CI 1.73 to 2.00). The estimated proportion of PLHIV who knew their status of the project area increased by 28.6% (from 35.7% to 64.3%) and 11.1% (from 57.7% to 68.8%) in the project areas of Shinyanga and Simiyu regions respectively. Reaching the first UNAIDS 90 target by the end of this project seems possible. Future strategies should focus on improving PITC coverage, implementing more targeted testing modalities, together with current universal community-based approach.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections* / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections* / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections* / epidemiology
  • HIV Testing
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening* / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Tanzania / epidemiology

Grants and funding

The Shinyanga and Simiyu T&TP in Tanzania is supported by Gilead Sciences (USA). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.