“There is no fear in me … well, that little fear is there”

Dualistic views towards HIV testing among South African adolescent girls and young women

Datos Bibliográficos

ID17798811
AutoresZoe Duby (0000-0001-7615-8152, South African Medical Research Council, autor de correspondencia), Kim Jonas (0000-0002-4469-6674, University of Cape Town), Tracy McClinton Appollis (0000-0002-3982-4555, South African Medical Research Council), Kealeboga Maruping (South African Medical Research Council), Janan Dietrich (0000-0002-1949-3138, South African Medical Research Council), Lieve Vanleeuw (0000-0002-9012-3308, South African Medical Research Council), Catherine Mathews (0000-0001-5368-1127, South African Medical Research Council)
Año2020
Volumen19
Número3
Páginas214-221
Fecha de publicación2020-07-02
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAfrican Journal of AIDS Research (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1608-5906 • E-ISSN: 1727-9445
EditorialTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.2989/16085906.2020.1799232
PMID32892703
OpenAlexW3083835868
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas7
Referencias citadas28

In spite of the high HIV burden and high prevalence and incidence of HIV infection among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in South Africa, uptake of HIV testing in this population falls short of the UNIADS 90-90-90 targets, leading to late diagnosis, late entry into HIV care and treatment, and poor uptake of prevention services. There is a critical need to update and deepen our understanding of attitudes towards testing in this population, in order to appropriately respond to their specific needs. This article reports on findings from an exploration of perceptions of HIV testing and testing behaviour amongst AGYW in South Africa using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data. Analysis included data on testing behaviour and reasons for never testing from a survey conducted with 4 399 AGYW aged 15-24 years in six provinces. Combined with survey data is qualitative analysis from 63 in-depth interviews and 24 focus group discussions with 237 AGYW from five provinces. Findings revealed complex, dualistic and often contradictory views towards HIV testing in this population, with fear of HIV and the consequences of testing positive existing alongside a lack of concern towards HIV infection because of the availability and accessibility of antiretrovirals. These findings can help to address barriers to HIV testing in this population and ensure appropriateness of future interventions and HIV messaging

Developmental psychology · Family medicine · Psychiatry · Sociology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · Gender Studies · HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology