Availability of antiretroviral therapy is associated with increased uptake of HIV testing services
Mfundisi, C.; Chiranjan, N.; Rodrigues, C.; Kirchner, L.; Bock, P.; Myer, L.
South African Medical Journal 95(7): 483-485
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 16156445 Document Number: 591086
A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2004 to determine the association between availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 184 individuals (121 women and 63 men; aged 15-63 years) attending a hospital in Kyahelitsha, South Africa, were interviewed. 91 (49%) individuals reported that they knew a friend or family member infected with HIV/AIDS, while 74 (40%) said they knew someone taking ART. 94 (51%) said that they had been tested for HIV. Among those who had not been tested (n=90), 83 (92%) said that they felt it was important to be tested for HIV, 61 (68%) knew where they could be tested, and 49 (54%) said that they had discussed testing for HIV with their partners. Among those who had been tested for HIV, 57 (61%) said that they were referred for testing from other health services (mostly prevention of maternal transmission, tuberculosis or sexually transmitted infection services) and the remaining were self-referred for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT). Individuals who knew someone on ART were slightly more likely to be tested for HIV than those who did not know someone on ART (58 vs. 48%). This association was statistically significant among women. Comparing individuals who were self-referred to VCT services with those who had not been tested, receiving VCT was associated with knowing someone receiving ART (41 vs. 23%, P=0.041), even after adjusting for age and education. These results showing that people who know someone taking ART are more likely to be tested for HIV suggest that ART availability may lead to increased uptake of HIV testing services.