Findings from home-based HIV testing and facilitated linkage after scale-up of test and treat in rural South Africa: young people still missing.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The aim of the study was to estimate rates of linkage to HIV care and antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation after the introduction of home-based HIV counselling and testing (HBHCT) and telephone-facilitated support for linkage in rural South Africa.

Methods

A population-based prospective cohort study was carried out in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. All residents aged ≥ 15 years were eligible for HBHCT. Those who tested positive and were not in care were referred for ART at one of 11 public-sector clinics. Individuals who did not attend the clinic within 2 weeks were sent a short message service (SMS) reminder; those who had not attended after a further 2 weeks were telephoned by a nurse counsellor, to discuss concerns and encourage linkage. Kaplan-Meier methods

SUBMITTER: Baisley KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6788950 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature