Exploring factors that influence the integration of HIVST with HCT using a qualitative comparative cross-over design in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15540344
AutoresCharlene Harichund (0000-0003-4641-1924, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, autor de correspondencia), Quarraisha Abdool Karim (0000-0002-0985-477X, University of KwaZulu-Natal), Pinky Kunene (Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa), Sinenhlanhla Simelane (Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa), Mosa Moshabela (0000-0002-9438-7095, University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Año2019
Volumen14
Número9
Páginas1275-1287
Fecha de publicación2019-03-04
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaGlobal Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1744-1692 • E-ISSN: 1744-1706
EditorialTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17441692.2019.1587638
PMID30829120
OpenAlexW2918976215
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas18

The World Health Organization recommends using HIV self-testing (HIVST) to improve HIV testing coverage by integrating self-testing for HIV into public domain primary healthcare (PHC) clinics in areas with a high burden of HIV. However, an understanding of the relationship and interaction between HIVST and the standard HIV counselling and testing (HCT), the primary HIV testing approach within public PHC clinics, is limited. We therefore sought to compare experiences of people seeking an HIV test, specifically, how HIVST can be used to enhance HCT when introduced together. A cross-over study design was used wherein participants were randomly exposed to either HCT followed by HIVST or HIVST followed by HCT. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at the baseline, and after each testing exposure. Forty volunteers were enrolled and 119 interviews were completed. Although a higher preference for HIVST was reported, a symbiotic relationship between HIVST and HCT was identified, where benefits of one testing approach overcame barriers of the other. Introducing HIVST as an additional testing approach with HCT within PHC facilities in South Africa could positively influence HIV testing given their complementary relationship. HIVST and HCT should accommodate HIV testing situations among HIV testing naïve and repeat testing populations

Family medicine · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Implementation research · Psychological intervention · Public health · Test (biology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Nursing