"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.

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. PMID: 32892703 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: African Journal of AIDS Research - Category: African Health Tags: Afr J AIDS Res Source Type: research