Reaching for 90:90:90 in correctional facilities in South Africa and Zambia : virtual cross-section of coverage of HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy during universal test and treat implementation

Abstract

BACKGROUND :

People in correctional settings are a key population for HIV epidemic control. We sought to demonstrate scale-up of universal test and treat in correctional facilities in South Africa and Zambia through a virtual cross-sectional analysis. METHODS :

We used routine data on 2 dates: At the start of universal test and treat implementation (time 1, T1) and 1 year later (time 2, T2). We obtained correctional facility census lists for the selected dates and matched HIV testing and treatment data to generate virtual cross-sections of HIV care continuum indicators. RESULTS :

In the South African site, there were 4193 and 3868 people in the facility at times T1 and T2; 43% and 36% were matched with HIV testing or treatment data, respectively. At T1 and T2, respectively, 1803 (43%) and 1386 (36%) had known HIV status, 804 (19%) and 845 (21%) were known to be living with HIV, and 60% and 56% of those with known HIV were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). In the Zambian site, there were 1467 and 1366 people in the facility at times T1 and T2; 58% and 92% were matched with HIV testing or treatment data, respectively. At T1 and T2, respectively, 857 (59%) and 1263 (92%) had known HIV status, 277 (19%) and 647 (47%) were known to be living with HIV, and 68% and 68% of those with known HIV were receiving ART. CONCLUSIONS :

This virtual cross-sectional analysis identified gaps in HIV testing coverage, and ART initiation that was not clearly demonstrated by prior cohort-based studies.