HIV and adolescents: guidance for HIV testing and counselling and care for adolescents living with HIV: recommendations for a public health approach and considerations for policy-makers and managers
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World Health Organization
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xi, 81 p.
Annexes published as technical documents: annex 1 : key terms and definitions: WHO/HIV/2013.126; annex 2 : PICO questions and references: WHO/HIV/2013.127; annex 3: systematic review – HTC for adolescents: WHO/HIV/2013.128 - annex 4: systematic review – ALHIV: Disclosure, adherence and retention in care: WHO/HIV/2013.129; annex 5: GRADE notation and language: WHO/HIV/2013.130; annex 6: GRADE Evidence profiles: WHO/HIV/2013.131; annex 7: evidence summaries and findings: WHO/HIV/2013.132; annex 8: decision-making tables: WHO/HIV/2013.133; annex 9 : review methods: WHO/HIV/2013.134; The voices, values and preference of adolescents on HIV testing and counselling : consultation for the development of the World Health Organization HIV testing and counselling guidelines for adolescents: WHO/HIV/2013.135; annex 11(a): values and preferences: ALHIV survey: WHO/HIV/2013.136; annex 11(b): values and preferences: ALHIV care, treatment, and attitudes – literature review: WHO/HIV/2013.137; HIV and adolescents: guidance for HIV testing and counselling and care for adolescents living with HIV : annex 13 : adolescent ARV service delivery: a review of the literature: WHO/HIV/2013.139; annex 15: Adolescent consent to testing: a review of current policies and issues in sub-Saharan Africa:WHO/HIV/2013.141; annex 16 : implementation plan: WHO/HIV/2013.142; annex 17 : expert meeting – participant list: WHO/HIV/2013.143
These evidence-based WHO guidelines provide recommendations for HIV testing and counselling (HTC) and the treatment and care of adolescents living with HIV, with particular attention to the specific developmental, social and legal issues affecting this age group. Developed for policy-makers, programme managers and implementing partners, the guidance responds to the increasing burden of HIV among adolescents, low uptake of testing services, delayed diagnosis and treatment, and poor retention in care. Grounded in a public health and human rights approach, the document emphasizes voluntary testing, confidentiality, adolescent participation, supportive legal and policy environments, and equitable access to services, particularly for adolescents from key populations and those living in resource-limited settings. The guidelines were developed through the WHO Guideline Review Committee process using systematic reviews, the GRADE methodology, expert consultation, programme experience and evidence on adolescents’ values and preferences. They present recommendations on HIV testing and counselling, disclosure of HIV status, adherence to antiretroviral therapy, retention in care, community-based approaches and training of health-care workers. The document also outlines guiding principles for implementation, operational considerations for adapting the recommendations to national contexts, and key research gaps requiring further investigation.
Annexes published as technical documents: annex 1 : key terms and definitions: WHO/HIV/2013.126; annex 2 : PICO questions and references: WHO/HIV/2013.127; annex 3: systematic review – HTC for adolescents: WHO/HIV/2013.128 - annex 4: systematic review – ALHIV: Disclosure, adherence and retention in care: WHO/HIV/2013.129; annex 5: GRADE notation and language: WHO/HIV/2013.130; annex 6: GRADE Evidence profiles: WHO/HIV/2013.131; annex 7: evidence summaries and findings: WHO/HIV/2013.132; annex 8: decision-making tables: WHO/HIV/2013.133; annex 9 : review methods: WHO/HIV/2013.134; The voices, values and preference of adolescents on HIV testing and counselling : consultation for the development of the World Health Organization HIV testing and counselling guidelines for adolescents: WHO/HIV/2013.135; annex 11(a): values and preferences: ALHIV survey: WHO/HIV/2013.136; annex 11(b): values and preferences: ALHIV care, treatment, and attitudes – literature review: WHO/HIV/2013.137; HIV and adolescents: guidance for HIV testing and counselling and care for adolescents living with HIV : annex 13 : adolescent ARV service delivery: a review of the literature: WHO/HIV/2013.139; annex 15: Adolescent consent to testing: a review of current policies and issues in sub-Saharan Africa:WHO/HIV/2013.141; annex 16 : implementation plan: WHO/HIV/2013.142; annex 17 : expert meeting – participant list: WHO/HIV/2013.143
These evidence-based WHO guidelines provide recommendations for HIV testing and counselling (HTC) and the treatment and care of adolescents living with HIV, with particular attention to the specific developmental, social and legal issues affecting this age group. Developed for policy-makers, programme managers and implementing partners, the guidance responds to the increasing burden of HIV among adolescents, low uptake of testing services, delayed diagnosis and treatment, and poor retention in care. Grounded in a public health and human rights approach, the document emphasizes voluntary testing, confidentiality, adolescent participation, supportive legal and policy environments, and equitable access to services, particularly for adolescents from key populations and those living in resource-limited settings. The guidelines were developed through the WHO Guideline Review Committee process using systematic reviews, the GRADE methodology, expert consultation, programme experience and evidence on adolescents’ values and preferences. They present recommendations on HIV testing and counselling, disclosure of HIV status, adherence to antiretroviral therapy, retention in care, community-based approaches and training of health-care workers. The document also outlines guiding principles for implementation, operational considerations for adapting the recommendations to national contexts, and key research gaps requiring further investigation.