Self-reported motivators for HIV testing in the treat-all era among HIV positive patients in Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Abstract To explore associations between self-reported ill-health as a primary motivator for HIV-testing and socio-demographic factors. Four local primary healthcare clinics in Johannesburg, South Africa. A total of 529 newly HIV diagnosed adults (≥18\u200ayears) enrolled from October 2017 to August 2018, participated in the survey on the same day of diagnosis. Testing out of own initiative or perceived HIV exposure was categorized as asymptomatic. Reporting ill-health as the main reason for testing was categorized as symptomatic. Modified Poisson regression was used to evaluate predictors of motivators for HIV testing. Overall, 327/520 (62.9%) participants reported symptoms as the main motivator for testing. Among the asymptomatic, 17.1% reported potential HIV exposure as a reason for testing, while 20.0% just wanted to know their HIV status. Baseline predictors of symptom-related motivators for HIV testing include disclosing intention to test (aPR 1.4 for family/friend/others vs partners/spouse, 95% CI: 1.1–1.8; aPR 1.4 for not disclosing vs partners/spouse, 95% CI: 1.1–1.7), and HIV testing history (aPR 1.2 for last HIV test >12-months ago vs last test 12-months prior, 95% CI: 1.0–1.5; aPR 1.3 for never tested for HIV before vs last test 12-months prior, 95%CI:1.0–1.6). Findings indicate that newly diagnosed HIV positive patients still enter care because of ill-health, not prevention purposes. Increasing early HIV testing remains essential to maximize the benefits of expanded ART access.