Background While gender-based violence (GBV) has been shown to increase women’s risk of HIV acquisition, the role of GBV in the HIV testing to care continuum is less clear. Clarifying how GBV may act as a barrier to accessing HIV services, treatment and care - such as anti-retroviral treatment (ART) or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) - will not only provide insights into how to best meet individual women’s HIV care needs, but also inform public health oriented HIV epidemic control strategies. Methods Through a comprehensive scoping review, we synthesized and analyzed existing evidence regarding the influence of GBV on engagement in PrEP and the HIV care continuum among women living with HIV, including members of key populations (female sex workers, transgender women and women who use drugs). We explored PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for peer-reviewed studies published in 2003–2017. Of the 279 sources identified, a subset of 51 sources met the criteria and were included in the scoping review. Results Studies were identified from 17 countries. The majority of studies utilized quantitative cross-sectional designs ( n = 33), with the rest using longitudinal ( n = 4), qualitative ( n = 10) or mixed methods (n = 4) designs. Taken together, findings suggest that GBV impedes women’s uptake of HIV testing, care, and treatment, yet this can vary across different geographic and epidemic settings. Substantial gaps in the literature do still exist, including studies on the impact of GBV on engagement in PrEP, and research among key populations. Conclusions This scoping review contributes to our knowledge regarding the role GBV plays in women’s engagement in PrEP and the HIV care continuum. Findings reveal the need for more longitudinal research to provide insights into the causal pathways linking GBV and HIV care and treatment outcomes. Research is also needed to illuminate the impact of GBV on PrEP use and adherence as well as the impact of GBV on engagement along the HIV care continuum among key populations. It is critical that programs and research keep pace with these findings in order to reduce the global burden of GBV and HIV among women.

Young people internalize gender norms about sexual and intimate relationships, and violence, at early ages. Programs to address negative health outcomes should explicitly address inequitable gender norms and more consistently expand to reach younger age groups. In this first application of the GEM Scale among 10- to 14-year-olds, we confirm that it is a valid measure in this setting.

This study indicates that a targeted stigma reduction intervention can rapidly improve provider attitudes and increase service satisfaction among young people. More funding to scale up these interventions is needed.

Overall, the intervention was perceived as acceptable. Although not statistically significant, results showed some trends toward improvements among YMSM in accessing HIV testing services and HIV-related knowledge. The modest coverage and short time frame of the evaluation likely limits the ability for any significant behavioral improvements.

BackgroundProvision of HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health services in Zambia is largely characterized by discrete service provision with weak client referral and linkage. The literature reveals gaps in the continuity of care for HIV and sexual and reproductive health. This study assessed whether improved service delivery models increased the uptake and cost-effectiveness of HIV and sexual and reproductive health services.MethodsAdult clients 18+ years of age accessing family planning (females), HIV testing and counseling (females and males), and male circumcision services (males) were recruited, enrolled and individually randomized to one of three study arms: 1) the standard model of service provision at the entry point (N = 1319); 2) an enhanced counseling and referral to add-on service with follow-up (N = 1323); and 3) the components of study arm two, with the additional offer of an escort (N = 1321). Interviews were conducted with the same clients at baseline, six weeks and six months. Uptake of services for HIV, family planning, male circumcision, and cervical cancer screening at six weeks and six months were the primary endpoints. Pairwise chi-square and multivariable logistic regression statistical tests assessed differences across study arms, which were also assessed for incremental cost-efficiency and cost-effectiveness.ResultsA total of 3963 clients, 1920 males and 2043 females, were enrolled; 82 % of participants at six weeks were tracked and 81 % at six months; follow-up rates did not vary significantly by study arm. The odds of clients accessing HIV testing and counseling, cervical cancer screening services among females, and circumcision services among males varied significantly by study arm at six weeks and six months; less consistent findings were observed for HIV care and treatment. Client uptake of family planning services did not vary significantly by study arm. Integrated services were found to be more efficiently provided than vertical service provision; the cost-effectiveness for HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer was high in the enhanced service models.ConclusionsStudy results provide evidence for increasing the linkages and integration of a selection of HIV and sexual and reproductive health services. The study provided cost-effective service delivery models that enhanced the likelihood of clients accessing some additional needed health services.Trial registrationISRCTN84228514 Retrospectively registered.The study was retrospectively registered in the ISRCTN clinical trials registry on 06 October 2015. The first recruitment of participants occurred on 17 December 2013.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3450-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.