The Impact of Implementing a Risk-Based HIV Screening Tool for early detection of HIV in Children across five provinces in South Africa: Progress Toward UNAIDS 1st 95 Target
1
Health: South Africa, Ministry of Health South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3249
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
The Impact of Implementing a Risk-Based HIV Screening Tool for early detection of HIV in Children across five provinces in South Africa: Progress Toward UNAIDS 1st 95 Target Authors: Maomela, T 1, Marsh, A 1, Chidarikire, T 2 Affiliations: 1The National Department of Health, World Health Organization 2
BACKGROUND:
HIV remains public health challenge in SA, particularly amongst children. Those living with HIV are missed, leading to delayed initiation of ART which increases risk of morbidity and mortality. Traditional provider-initiated counselling and testing often fails to identify children who do not present with obvious symptoms or whose caregivers are unaware of risk. The UNAIDS 95-95-95 strategy aims for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status by 2030, yet gaps persist among children.
AIM:
A risk-based HIV screening tool was introduced to systematically identify children at higher risk to improve detection based on clinical, demographic, exposure factors. Additionally, testing and linkage to care will accelerate progress toward the UNAIDS first 95 targets.
METHODS:
Reviewed DHIS2 data: February 2023 to September 2025, from facilities in five provinces that implemented the standardized risk-based screening tool integrated into routine care. The tool prioritized children based on clinical, demographic, and exposure risk factors. Performance was measured by the proportion of eligible children tested for HIV.
RESULTS:
Implementing screening tool led to a significant improvement in testing coverage, increasing from 81% in February 2023 to 87% in September 2025. This reflects enhanced identification of at-risk children and improved linkage to care. The intervention demonstrates scalability and feasibility of innovative tools in resource-limited settings.
CONCLUSIONS:
Risk-based screening tools are effective in strengthening HIV testing in children and accelerating progress toward the UNAIDS first 95 of the 95-95-95 targets.
The Impact of Implementing a Risk-Based HIV Screening Tool for early detection of HIV in Children across five provinces in South Africa: Progress Toward UNAIDS 1st 95 Target Authors: Maomela, T 1, Marsh, A 1, Chidarikire, T 2 Affiliations: 1The National Department of Health, World Health Organization 2
BACKGROUND:
HIV remains public health challenge in SA, particularly amongst children. Those living with HIV are missed, leading to delayed initiation of ART which increases risk of morbidity and mortality. Traditional provider-initiated counselling and testing often fails to identify children who do not present with obvious symptoms or whose caregivers are unaware of risk. The UNAIDS 95-95-95 strategy aims for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status by 2030, yet gaps persist among children.
AIM:
A risk-based HIV screening tool was introduced to systematically identify children at higher risk to improve detection based on clinical, demographic, exposure factors. Additionally, testing and linkage to care will accelerate progress toward the UNAIDS first 95 targets.
METHODS:
Reviewed DHIS2 data: February 2023 to September 2025, from facilities in five provinces that implemented the standardized risk-based screening tool integrated into routine care. The tool prioritized children based on clinical, demographic, and exposure risk factors. Performance was measured by the proportion of eligible children tested for HIV.
RESULTS:
Implementing screening tool led to a significant improvement in testing coverage, increasing from 81% in February 2023 to 87% in September 2025. This reflects enhanced identification of at-risk children and improved linkage to care. The intervention demonstrates scalability and feasibility of innovative tools in resource-limited settings.
CONCLUSIONS:
Risk-based screening tools are effective in strengthening HIV testing in children and accelerating progress toward the UNAIDS first 95 of the 95-95-95 targets.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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