Formative assessment to identify perceived benefits and barriers of HIV oral self-testing among female sex workers, service providers, outreach workers, and peer educators to inform scale-up in Kenya
Bibliographic Data
In Kenya, HIV prevalence estimates among female sex workers (FSWs) are almost five times higher than among women in the general population. However, only 68% of infected FSWs are aware of their HIV-positive status. We aimed to identify perceived benefits, opportunities, and barriers of HIV self-testing (HIVST) in improving testing coverage among FSWs. Twenty focus group discussions were conducted with 77 service providers, 42 peer educators (PEs) and outreach workers, and 37 FSWs attending drop-in centers (DiCEs) in four regions of Kenya. An additional 8 FSWs with HIV-negative or unknown status-completed in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed thematically. Acceptability of HIVST was high, with cited benefits including confidentiality, convenience, and ease of use. Barriers included absence of counseling, potential for inaccurate results, fear of partner reaction, possible misuse, and fear that HIVST could lead to further stigmatization. PEs and DiCEs were the preferred models for distributing HIVST kits. FSWs wanted kits made available free or at a nominal cost (100 Kenya Shillings or ∼USD 1). Linkage to confirmatory testing, the efficiency of distributing HIVST kits using peers and DiCEs, and the types and content of effective HIVST messaging require further research
Business · Computer security · Confidentiality · Environmental health · Family medicine · Focus group · Formative assessment · Geography · Outreach · Political science · Population · Service provider · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Sex work and related issues · Marketing
Attitudes and Acceptability on HIV Self-testing Among Key Populations
Acceptability of HIV self-testing
Promoting male partner HIV testing and safer sexual decision making through secondary distribution of self-tests by HIV-negative female sex workers and women receiving antenatal and post-partum care in Kenya
Uptake, Accuracy, Safety, and Linkage into Care over Two Years of Promoting Annual Self-Testing for HIV in Blantyre, Malawi
An action agenda for HIV and sex workers
Global epidemiology of HIV among female sex workers
Burden of HIV among female sex workers in low-income and middle-income countries
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“When they know that you are a sex worker, you will be the last person to be treated”
Accuracy and Acceptability of Oral Fluid HIV Self-Testing in a General Adult Population in Kenya
Use of a Rapid HIV Home Test Prevents HIV Exposure in a High Risk Sample of Men Who Have Sex With Men
The Impact of Rapid HIV Home Test Use with Sexual Partners on Subsequent Sexual Behavior Among Men Who have Sex with Men
| Citations per year | 0.5 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2022 - 2022 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |