One Third of Young Women in Sub-Saharan Africa Never Tested for HIV
Nairobi, 23 April 2026
A comprehensive study analysing data from 28 Sub-Saharan African countries reveals that 37% of young women aged 15-24 have never undergone HIV testing, despite the region accounting for two-thirds of global HIV cases. With 370,000 new infections recorded among young people in 2024 alone, the research exposes stark disparities between countries—whilst Zambia achieved 76% testing coverage, Mali recorded just 6.7%. The findings highlight critical gaps in healthcare access, particularly affecting rural, poor, and less-educated young women, undermining global targets.
Stark Regional Disparities in Testing Coverage
The research, which analysed Demographic and Health Survey data from 28 Sub-Saharan African countries between 2010 and 2022, examined responses from more than 58,000 adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 [1]. Regional HIV testing coverage has improved dramatically from approximately 13% in the early 2010s to 63% during the study period [1]. However, the statistics mask profound inequalities between nations, with three-quarters of countries achieving testing coverage below 50% amongst the 15-24 age group [1]. At the extremes, Zambia recorded the highest testing rate at 76%, whilst Mali languished at just 6.7% [1]. Chad managed only 14% coverage, and Benin achieved 25% [1].
Young People Bear Disproportionate Burden of New Infections
The urgency of expanding testing programmes becomes clear when examining infection patterns. An estimated 370,000 new HIV infections occurred among 15-24-year-olds in 2024, representing approximately 28.462% of the 1.3 million global new infections recorded that year [1]. Sub-Saharan Africa houses roughly two-thirds of the approximately 40 million people living with HIV globally [1]. Adolescent girls aged 15-19 face higher HIV acquisition risks than their male peers, with young people accounting for a disproportionately large share of new infections [1]. This demographic reality underscores why testing among young women remains a critical public health priority.
Socioeconomic Barriers Create Testing Inequalities
The study revealed clear patterns in who accesses HIV testing services. Young women aged 20-24 were more likely to have been tested than those aged 15-19, as were those who were married or in union, pregnant women receiving antenatal care, better-educated individuals, wealthier populations, and urban residents [1]. Testing rates also increased among those with comprehensive HIV knowledge, multiple lifetime partners, or recent sexually transmitted infections [1]. Conversely, rural, poor, and less-educated young women remained significantly undertested, highlighting how existing healthcare inequalities compound HIV prevention challenges [1]. These disparities suggest that current testing strategies may inadvertently favour already advantaged populations whilst missing those most at risk.
Global Targets Remain Elusive Without Expanded Access
The findings arrive as the global health community works toward achieving UNAIDS’ ambitious 95-95-95 targets by 2030: ensuring 95% of people know their HIV status, 95% of those diagnosed receive treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression [1]. Testing represents the critical first step in this cascade of care [1]. With more than one-third of young women in Sub-Saharan Africa never having been tested, the region faces substantial challenges in meeting these targets. The research authors, Obasanjo Bolarinwa of York St John University and Sylvester Okeke of UNSW Sydney, emphasise that targeted youth-friendly strategies could help close existing gaps and reach vulnerable populations in underserved communities [1]. Without significant improvements in testing accessibility and uptake, particularly among marginalised groups, the 2030 targets risk remaining beyond reach.