Access to human immunodeficiency virus testing services in Cape Town, South Africa: a user perspective

Objective: To compare the availability, affordability and acceptability of two non-governmental organisation (NGO) led human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing service (HTS) modalities (mobile and stand-alone) with HTS at a public primary health care facility. Methods: Adult participants who self-referred for HIV testing were enrolled as they exited the HTS modalities. Data collection using an electronic questionnaire took place between November 2014 and February 2015. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess differences in the participants' demographic characteristics and the availability, affordability and acceptability of HTS between modalities. Results: There were 130 participants included in the study. Irrespective of modality, most participants walked to the service provider, had a travel time of <30 min and reported no costs. Participants were less likely to report waiting times of 30 min compared to <15 min at the mobile modality compared to the public facility (aOR < 0.001, 95%CI < 0.001–0.03). Conclusion: Irrespective of modality, HIV testing services were available and affordable in our study. Waiting times were significantly higher at the public facility compared to the NGO modalities. As South Africa moves toward achieving the first UNAIDS target, it is essential not only to make HTS available and affordable, but also to ensure that these services are acceptable, especially to those who have never been tested before.