Young people in South Africa have the fastest growing rates of HIV infection, with 39% of all new HIV infections occurring between ages 15 to 24 years. Yet young people have very low rates of HIV testing, and face challenges in accessing health services. If South Africa wants to increase awareness of HIV and testing among youth, new approaches are needed to reach younger, more digitally savvy audiences.

To answer this need, the international medical organisation MSF, and Aviro a design-focused health company have developed ‘Khetha’, a web-based platform designed to encourage young people to test for HIV and make the HIV testing and counseling process quick and friendly. ‘Khetha’ means ‘choice’ in isiXhosa, as the platform aims to give young people more autonomy to choose how they manage their own health.

The ‘Khetha’ web platform includes educational, youth friendly videos and animations in English, isiXhosa and isiZulu, along with an HIV testing journey which can be used to support an HIV test, and guide youth through the test, from pre-test information to post-test counseling. All ‘Khetha’ content is line with the South African health department and WHO’s HIV counseling curriculum

Critically, all the materials were designed and scripted using extensive feedback from young people gathered through user design workshops with participants recruited through MSF’s youth programs in Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal. The videos were then filmed with young actors from Khayelitsha and Gugulethu.

MSF will pilot the Khetha platform data-free at Site B Youth clinic in Khayelitsha from December 2019 onwards. All the content is freely available under a creative commons license for interested partners to use.

Find out more: khetha.avirohealth.com