TABLE 2.

Strategies for Improving HIV Case Finding and Linkage to Treatment Among Infants, Children, and Adolescents

Strategies for Improving HIV Case Finding Among Infants, Children, and Adolescents

Scale-up PITC within health facilities in TB clinics, nutrition centers, and pediatric inpatient clinics

Consider HIV risk screening tools to optimize testing in facilities

In high-prevalence settings (>5% adult HIV prevalence), test mothers or infants attending immunization or under-5 clinics to identify HEIs

Use strategies that identify HIV-exposed children through connection to adults and other children living with HIV

Optimize PMTCT and EID for HEIs

Test all biologic children of adults and siblings receiving any HIV service (PMTCT and ART) through facility- or home-based family index testing

Test the children of key and vulnerable populations

Implement risk screening for all OVC

Offer partner notification services to adolescents

Consider other innovative approaches, such as HIVST, social network testing, and the use of incentives

Collaborate with community leaders, ALHIV networks, community members, and civil society organizations to ensure that HTS and linkage strategies meet the needs of infants, children, adolescents, and caregivers

Strategies for Strengthening Linkage to HIV Treatment for Infants, Children, and Adolescents

Provide same day ART initiation

Offer intensified post-test counseling on importance of starting ART

Provide patient escort between HIV testing and ART services

Offer peer navigation/case management services

Conduct follow-up (phone/home visit) for clients who fail to link within 14 d

Use ART starter packs in remotely located HIV testing sites

Systematically document and monitor linkage to treatment using individual-level registers and indicators