Original Research
Sexual reproductive healthcare utilisation and HIV testing in an integrated adolescent youth centre clinic in Cape Town, South Africa
Submitted: 22 December 2017 | Published: 26 November 2018
About the author(s)
Andrea S. Mendelsohn, The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, South Africa; and, Retreat Community Health Centre, Western Cape Department of Health, South AfricaKatherine Gill, The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Rebecca Marcus, The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, United Kingdom
Dante Robbertze, The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, South Africa; and, Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Claudine van de Venter, The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Eve Mendel, The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Landisiwe Mzukwa, The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Linda-Gail Bekker, The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Abstract
Background: HIV prevalence is increasing among South African youth, but HIV counselling and testing (HCT) remains low. Adolescent pregnancy rates are also high.
Objectives: Innovative strategies are needed to increase HIV and pregnancy screening and prevention among youth.
Method: The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre (DTHF-YC) offers integrated, incentivised sexual and reproductive health (SRH), educational and recreational programmes. We compared HCT and contraception rates between the DTHF-YC and a public clinic (PC) in Cape Town to estimate the impact of DTHF-YC on youth contraception and HCT utilisation.
Results: In 2015, females < 18 years had 3.74 times (confidence interval [CI]: 3.37–4.15) more contraception visits at DTHF-YC versus PC. There were no differences in the contraception and adherence was suboptimal. DTHF-YC youth (aged 15–24 years) were 1.85 times (CI: 1.69–2.01) more likely to undergo HCT versus PC, while male youth were 3.83 times (CI: 3.04–4.81) more likely to test at DTHF-YC. Youth were a third less likely to test HIV-positive at DTHF-YC versus PC. Female sex, older age, clinic attendance for contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), redeeming incentives and high DTHF-YC attendance were all independent factors associated with increased HCT.
Conclusion: Youth were significantly more likely to access SRH services at DTHF-YC compared with the PC. The differences were greatest in contraception use by female adolescents < 18 years and HCT by male youth. Increased HCT did not increase youth HIV case detection. Data from DTHF-YC suggest that youth-friendly healthcare providers integrated into community youth spaces may increase youth HCT and contraception rates.
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Crossref Citations
1. Understanding school-going adolescent’s preferences for accessing HIV and contraceptive care: findings from a discrete choice experiment among learners in Gauteng, South Africa
Caroline Govathson, Lawrence Long, Aneesa Moolla, Sithabile Mngadi-Ncube, Nkosinathi Ngcobo, Constance Mongwenyana, Naomi Lince-Deroche, Sophie Pascoe
BMC Health Services Research vol: 23 issue: 1 year: 2023
doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-10414-w