High HIV incidence and low uptake of HIV prevention services: the context of risk for young male adults prior to DREAMS in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Background: young men are less likely than young women to engage with HIV prevention and care, and their HIV-related mortality is higher. We describe HIV incidence and uptake of HIV services in men 20-29 years(y) in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, before the roll-out of DREAMS. Methods: we used data from a population-based demographic and HIV surveillance cohort. HIV incidence was estimated from anonymised testing in an annual serosurvey. Service uptake was assessed in 2011 and 2015, through two self-reported outcomes: 1) HIV testing in the past 12 months(m); 2) voluntary medical male circumcision(VMMC). Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios(OR) and 95% confidence intervals(CI) for factors associated with each outcome. Results: HIV incidence in 2011-2015 was 2.6/100 person-years (95%CI=2.0-3.4) and 4.2 (95%CI=3.1-5.6) among men 20-24y and 25-29y, respectively, with no significant change from 2006-2010. N=1311 and N=1221 young men participated in the 2011 and 2015 surveys, respectively. In both years, <50% reported testing for HIV in the past 12m. In 2011, only 5% reported VMMC, but coverage in 2015 increased to 40% and 20% in men 20-24y and 25-29y, respectively. HIV testing was positively associated with higher education and mobility. Testing uptake was higher in men reporting >1 partner in the past 12m, or condom use at last sex, but lower in those reporting a casual partner (adjusted (a)OR=0.53, 95%CI=0.37-0.75). VMMC uptake was associated with survey year and higher education. Men aged 25-29y and those who were employed (aOR=0.66; 95%CI=0.49-0.89) were less likely to report VMMC. Conclusions: HIV incidence in men 20-29y was very high, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) should be considered in this population. Uptake of services was low. VMMC coverage increased dramatically from 2011 to 2015, especially among younger men, suggesting a demand for this service. Interventions designed with and for young men are urgently needed.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Nuala Mcgrath: orcid.org/0000-0002-1039-0159

Catalogue record

Export record

Altmetrics