Linking Children and Adolescents With TB Disease to HIV Services in 16 PEPFAR-supported High TB/HIV-Burden Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, October 2018-September 2022

Introduction Promptly identifying children and adolescents living with both tuberculosis (TB) disease and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and ensuring they receive antiretroviral treatment (ART) can reduce TB/HIV-associated mortality. We reviewed linkage of children and young adolescents with TB to HIV services at clinical sites in 16 high TB/HIV-burden sub-Saharan African countries supported by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Methods PEPFAR monitoring, evaluation and reporting data describing persons Results Among children and adolescents Conclusions These findings highlight effective PEPFAR-supported integration of HIV services into TB services; however, gaps among young children persist. While HIV positivity decreased among children and adolescents with TB, universal HIV testing of those with TB remains an important strategy to close pediatric HIV treatment gaps and reduce mortality in high-burden countries.