Low rates of prior HIV testing among HIV-positive adults accessing outpatient services in Eswatini

AIDS Res Ther. 2019 Dec 5;16(1):38. doi: 10.1186/s12981-019-0254-y.

Abstract

Prior HIV testing and awareness of HIV-positive status were assessed among HIV-positive adults at 20 clinics in Eswatini. Of 2196 HIV-positive adults, 1183 (53.8%) reported no prior HIV testing, and 1948 (88.7%) were unaware of their HIV-positive status. Males [adjusted odds ratio, AOR, (95% confidence interval): 0.7 (0.5-0.9)], youth 18-25 years [AOR 0.6 (0.4-0.95)], adults ≥ 50 years [AOR 0.5 (0.3-0.9)], those needing family support [AOR 0.6 (0.5-0.8)], and those living ≥ 45 min from clinic [AOR 0.5 (0.4-0.8)] were less likely to know their HIV-positive status. More HIV testing is needed to achieve 95-95-95 targets, with targeted strategies for those less likely to test for HIV.

Keywords: Awareness of HIV status; Eswatini; First 90; First 95; HIV testing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Eswatini / epidemiology
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Young Adult