According to a new study published in JAMA Network Open, regardless of the efforts to encourage HIV testing, its uptake in black African communities across London remains modest. A substantial fraction of the population remains undiagnosed.
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study among black African adults residing and working in London (292 women and 312 men) using self-report questionnaires.
The findings showed that 50.8 per cent of men and 52.7 per cent of women had been tested for HIV in the last 5 years. A total of 56.3 per cent of women and 40.9 per cent of men, who tested positive for HIV, self-reported as being HIV negative or not being tested, indicative of undiagnosed HIV status. A quarter of men and a fifth of women reported having their last condomless sexual encounter with a serodifferent partner; one with an unknown HIV status, or one who had never been tested.
The authors said: "This study provides some evidence that HIV testing among black African adults living in London has increased slightly in the past 12 years, but efforts must be enhanced to meet the HIV prevention needs of this group." They call for improved access to HIV testing through primary care and other health care services, along with access to HIV self-testing and self-sampling to enhance HIV testing rates.
