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Youth Preferences for HIV Testing in South Africa: Findings from the Youth Action for Health (YA4H) Study Using a Discrete Choice Experiment

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Abstract

We conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) and quantified preferences for HIV testing among South African youth (Nov 2018 to Mar 2019). Six attributes and levels were identified through qualitative methods: source of HIV information; incentive amount and type; social support; testing method; and location. Each participant chose one of two options that comprised six attributes across 18 questions. Conditional logistic regression estimated the degree of preference [β]. Of 130 participants, median age was 21 years (interquartile range 19–23 years), majority female (58%), and 85% previously tested for HIV. Testing alone over accompanied by a friend (β = 0.22 vs. − 0.35; p < 0.01); SMS text over paper brochures (β = 0.13 vs. − 0.10; p < 0.01); higher incentive values (R50) over no incentive (β = 0.09 vs. − 0.07; p = 0.01); and food vouchers over cash (β = 0.06 vs. β =  − 0.08; p = 0.01) were preferred. Testing at a clinic or home and family encouragement were important. Tailoring HTS to youth preferences may increase HIV testing.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge our funder SANTHE for the financial support, the research team for their dedication and participants for their willingness to engage with us.

Funding

This work was supported through the Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence (SANTHE), a DELTAS Africa Initiative [Grant # DEL-15-006]. The DELTAS Africa Initiative is an independent funding scheme of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS)’s Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA) and supported by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development Planning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency) with funding from the Wellcome Trust [Grant # 107752/Z/15/Z] and the UK government. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AAS, NEPAD Agency, Wellcome Trust or the UK government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Aurum Institute, Aurum House, The Ridge, 29 Queens Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa

    Candice M. Chetty-Makkan, Christopher J. Hoffmann, Salome Charalambous, Claire Botha, Simphiwe Ntshuntshe & Nolwazi Nkosi

  2. John Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA

    Christopher J. Hoffmann

  3. School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Candice M. Chetty-Makkan & Salome Charalambous

  4. Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

    Hae-Young Kim

  5. Department of Population Health, New York University School of Public Health, New York, USA

    Hae-Young Kim

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  1. Candice M. Chetty-Makkan
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Contributions

CMK, Designed the study, conducted the analysis and wrote the first draft of the manuscript; HC, Designed the study, reviewed the analysis and the draft manuscripts; B, Managed recruitment for study, reviewed the analysis and the draft manuscripts; NN, Involved with recruitment, data collection and review of the draft manuscripts.

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Correspondence to Candice M. Chetty-Makkan.

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Chetty-Makkan, C.M., Hoffmann, C.J., Charalambous, S. et al. Youth Preferences for HIV Testing in South Africa: Findings from the Youth Action for Health (YA4H) Study Using a Discrete Choice Experiment. AIDS Behav 25, 182–190 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-020-02960-9

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