Adolescents and age of consent to HIV testing: an updated review of national policies in sub-Saharan Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where HIV burden is highest, access to testing, a key entry point for prevention and treatment, remains low for adolescents (aged 10-19). Access may be hampered by policies requiring parental consent for adolescents to receive HIV testing services (HTS). In 2013, the WHO recommended countries to review HTS age of consent policies. Here, we investigate country progress and policies on age of consent for HIV testing.

Design

Comprehensive policy review.

Data sources

Policies addressing HTS were obtained through searching WHO repositories and governmental and non-governmental websites and consulting country and regional experts.

Eligibility criteria

HTS policies published by SSA governments before 2019 that included age of con

SUBMITTER: Barr-DiChiara M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8442095 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature