HIV testing services in healthcare facilities in South Africa: a missed opportunity.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

South Africa (SA) has the world's highest burden of HIV infection (approximately 7.2 million), yet it is estimated that 23.5% women and 31.5% of men are unaware that they are living with HIV. The 2015 national South African HIV testing guidelines mandate the universal offer of HIV testing services (HTS) in all healthcare facilities.

Methods

A multi-prong approach was used from January 2017 to June 2017 to evaluate the current implementation of HTS in ten facilities in the Ekurhuleni District of SA. First, we conducted patient exit interviews to quantify engagement in HTS services. Second, we systematically mapped the flow of individual patients through the clinic.

Results

We conducted a total of 2989 exit interviews and followed 568 patients for value str

SUBMITTER: Mabuto T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6785782 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature