Policies and Practices Facilitating Access to and Uptake of HIV Testing Services among Adolescents in Sub-Sahara Africa: A Narrative Review

Dorothy Serwaa Boakye, Emmanuel Kumah, Samuel Adjorlolo

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Expanding access to HIV testing services and linking newly diagnosed positive adolescents to antiretroviral therapy is critical to epidemic control. However, testing coverage and treatment initiation rates continue to lag behind adult counterparts. This article synthesizes evidence on facilitative policies and service delivery practices focused on adolescents to inform programming. Recent Findings: Our narrative review found that national policies are growing more adolescent-inclusive but barriers around the age of consent, waiver frameworks and dissemination constrain translate into practice. Facility-based provider-initiated testing through integrated sexual health services and dedicated youth centres demonstrates uptake effectiveness if confidentiality and youth-friendly adaptations are assured. Summary: Supportive policies, youth-responsive adaptations across testing models and strengthening age-disaggregated monitoring are vital to improving adolescents’ engagement across the HIV testing and treatment cascade. Further implementation research is imperative to expand the reach of adolescent HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)220-236
Number of pages17
JournalCurrent HIV/AIDS Reports
Volume21
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024

Keywords

  • Adolescents
  • HIV Testing Services
  • Narrative Review
  • Policies
  • Practices
  • sub-Sahara Africa

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