Inequalities in uptake of HIV testing despite scale-up

HIV testing is an essential aspect of HIV prevention and treatment services. Since 2008, large-scale initiatives have aimed to increase access to, and uptake of, HIV testing in untested populations at risk. Strategies have included provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling,1 community-based approaches,2 and partner notification.3 Sub-Saharan Africa, the region worst affected by the HIV epidemic,4 is also the region most in need of these initiatives. Similar to findings for other health interventions,5,6 inequalities in uptake of HIV testing have been recorded,7 and these inequalities might persist despite intensification of HIV testing efforts and scale-up of treatment.