title: Positive attitudes to pediatric HIV testing: findings from a nationally representative survey from Zimbabwe.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Early HIV testing and diagnosis are paramount for increasing treatment initiation among children, necessary for their survival and improved health. However, uptake of pediatric HIV testing is low in high-prevalence areas. We present data on attitudes towards pediatric testing from a nationally representative survey in Zimbabwe.
  
  
  METHODS
  All 18-24 year olds and a proportion of 25-49 year olds living in randomly selected enumeration areas from all ten Zimbabwe provinces were invited to self-complete an anonymous questionnaire on a personal digital assistant, and 16,719 people agreed to participate (75% of eligibles).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most people think children can benefit from HIV testing (91%), 81% of people who looked after children know how to access testing for their children and 92% would feel happier if their children were tested. Notably, 42% fear that, if tested, children may be discriminated against by some community members and 28% fear their children are HIV positive. People who fear discrimination against children who have tested for HIV are more likely than their counterparts to perceive their community as stigmatizing against HIV positive people (43% vs. 29%). They are also less likely to report positive attitudes to HIV themselves (49% vs. 74%). Only 28% think it is possible for children HIV-infected at birth to live into adolescence without treatment. Approximately 70% of people (irrespective of whether they are themselves parents) think HIV-infected children in their communities can access testing and treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pediatric HIV testing is the essential gateway to prevention and care services. Our data indicate positive attitudes to testing children, suggesting a conducive environment for increasing uptake of pediatric testing in Zimbabwe. However, there is a need to better understand the barriers to pediatric testing, such as stigma and discrimination, and address the gaps in knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS in children.
authors.affiliation: Research Department of Infection & Population Health, London, University College London, United Kingdom. rbuzdugan@berkeley.edu
authors.forename: Raluca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buzdugan
authors.forename: Constancia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Watadzaushe
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dirawo
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mundida
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Langhaug
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hatzold
authors.forename: Getrude
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ncube
authors.forename: Owen
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mugurungi
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Benedikt
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Copas
authors.forename: Frances M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Cowan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology