Linkage to HIV Care Among Adolescents and Young Adults Reporting a Positive HIV Self-Test in OR Tambo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
- 1School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa.
- 2WSU Society and Health Research Institute, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa.
Abstract
Background
HIV self-testing (HIVST) can improve access to HIV testing among adolescents and young adults (AYAs); however, gaps remain in post-test linkage to care. This study examined post-HIVST outcomes and factors associated with reported linkage to HIV care among AYAs in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.Methods
A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 170 AYAs aged 15-24 years who had used HIVST within the preceding five months. Socio-demographic characteristics, HIVST results, post-test care-seeking, and linkage to HIV care were assessed. Bivariate analyses and Firth penalized logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with reported linkage to HIV care among participants reporting a positive HIVST result.Results
Of 156 participants who disclosed their HIVST result, 67 (42.9%) reported a positive result. Among these, 29 (43.3%) sought confirmatory testing, 38 (56.7%) sought care within 1-4 weeks, and 53 (79.1%) reported linkage to HIV care. More than half (55.2%) reported that counselling was not offered, and 59.7% perceived linkage-to-care services as not easily accessible. In multivariable analysis, female participants had higher odds of reporting linkage to HIV care than male participants (AOR = 5.54, 95% CI: 1.49-20.67, p = 0.011).Conclusions
Among AYAs with previous HIVST use, important gaps were observed in confirmatory testing and timely care-seeking. Male AYAs may require targeted support to improve engagement with HIV care services.
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BibTeX
@article{diniso2026linkage,
title = {{Linkage to HIV Care Among Adolescents and Young Adults Reporting a Positive HIV Self-Test in OR Tambo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa.}},
author = {Zimkhitha Diniso and Guillermo Alfredo Pulido Estrada and Sibusiso Cyprian Nomatshila and Kululwa Ndayi and Monwabisi Faleni},
journal = {Epidemiologia (Basel, Switzerland)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/epidemiologia7050138},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42930326},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Linkage to HIV Care Among Adolescents and Young Adults Reporting a Positive HIV Self-Test in OR Tambo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
AU - Zimkhitha Diniso
AU - Guillermo Alfredo Pulido Estrada
AU - Sibusiso Cyprian Nomatshila
AU - Kululwa Ndayi
AU - Monwabisi Faleni
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/07
JO - Epidemiologia (Basel, Switzerland)
DO - 10.3390/epidemiologia7050138
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42930326
AB - Background HIV self-testing (HIVST) can improve access to HIV testing among adolescents and young adults (AYAs); however, gaps remain in post-test linkage to care. This study examined post-HIVST outcomes and factors associated with reported linkage to HIV care among AYAs in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 170 AYAs aged 15-24 years who had used HIVST within the preceding five months. Socio-demographic characteristics, HIVST results, post-test care-seeking, and linkage to HIV care were assessed. Bivariate analyses and Firth penalized logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with reported linkage to HIV care among participants reporting a positive HIVST result.Results Of 156 participants who disclosed their HIVST result, 67 (42.9%) reported a positive result. Among these, 29 (43.3%) sought confirmatory testing, 38 (56.7%) sought care within 1-4 weeks, and 53 (79.1%) reported linkage to HIV care. More than half (55.2%) reported that counselling was not offered, and 59.7% perceived linkage-to-care services as not easily accessible. In multivariable analysis, female participants had higher odds of reporting linkage to HIV care than male participants (AOR = 5.54, 95% CI: 1.49-20.67, p = 0.011).Conclusions Among AYAs with previous HIVST use, important gaps were observed in confirmatory testing and timely care-seeking. Male AYAs may require targeted support to improve engagement with HIV care services.
SN - 2673-3986
ER -