We examined the predictive ability of the VOICE risk screening tool among adolescent girls and young women at heightened HIV risk in urban and peri-urban Kwa-Zulu-Natal, South Africa. Using participant data from CAPRISA 004's control arm (N = 444), we applied the initial VOICE risk screening score (IRS), a modified risk score (MRS) based on predictive and non-predictive variables in our data, and age-restricted (AIRS and AMRS, respectively). We estimated incidence rates, 95% confidence bounds, sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values and area under the curve (AUC). The sample's HIV incidence rate was 9.1/100 Person-Years [95% CI 6.9-11.7], resulting from 60 seroconversions (60/660.7 Person-Years). The IRS' ≥ 8 cutpoint produced moderate discrimination [AUC = 0.66 (0.54-0.74), sensitivity = 63%, specificity = 57%]. Restricting to age < 25 years improved the score's predictive ability (AIRS: AUC = 0.69, AMRS: AUC = 0.70), owing mainly to male partner having other partners and HSV-2. The risk tool predicted HIV acquisition at a higher cutpoint in this sample than in the initial VOICE analysis. After age-stratification, fewer variables were needed for maintaining score's predictiveness. In this high incidence setting, risk screening may still improve the efficiency or effectiveness of prevention counseling services. However, PrEP should be offered to all prevention-seeking individuals, regardless of risk ascertainment.
Keywords: HIV; PrEP; Prevention; Risk Score; South Africa.
© 2022. The Author(s).