High HIV Positivity Rates Following Large-Scale HIV Self-Testing Implementation in Zimbabwe, 2018–2020
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22085532 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Auxilia Muchedzi (corresponding author), Mulamuli Mpofu (0000-0002-2521-7156), Fungai Hamilton Mudzengerere, Moses Bateganya (0000-0001-9442-7854, Family Health International 360), Tarirai Mavimba, Hind Satti (Family Health International 360), Rumbidzai Dhliwayo, Tinashe Zulu, Talent Tapera (0000-0002-8894-0683), Tendai Samushonga, Tendai Nyagura (0000-0001-6537-6226, United States Agency for International Development), Getrude Ncube (0000-0002-8873-8901, Ministry of Health and Child Welfare), Taurayi A Tafuma (0000-0001-5793-1533) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 9 |
| Pages | 606376-606376 |
| Publication date | 2021-03-23 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2021.606376 |
| PMID | 33834013 |
| OpenAlex | W3136995481 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 18 |
Introduction: HIV self-testing (HIV-ST) is an innovative strategy to increase HIV case identification. This analysis shares the outcomes of HIV-ST implementation within the Zimbabwe HIV Care and Treatment (ZHCT) project for the period October 2018–March, 2020. Materials and Methods: We extracted HIV-ST data for the period October 2018 to March 2020 from the project database and assessed (1) the proportion of reactive HIV-ST results; (2) the concordance between reactive HIV-ST results against rapid confirmatory HIV tests using DetermineTM and ChembioTM in parallel; and (3) the monthly contribution of HIV-ST to total HIV positive individuals identified within project. The Chi-square test was used to assess for statistical differences in HIV positivity between age groups, by sex and district; as well as the difference in HIV positivity between the HIV-ST and index and mobile testing strategies. Findings: Between October 2018 and March 2020, the ZHCT project distributed 11,983 HIV-ST kits; 11,924 (99.8%) were used and 2,616 (21.9%) were reactive. Of the reactive tests, 2,610 (99.8%) were confirmed HIV positive giving a final positivity rate of 21.9%, and a concordance rate of 99.8% between the HIV-ST results and the confirmatory tests. Proportion of reactive results differed by age-groups ( p < 0.001); with the 35–49 years having the highest positivity rate of 25.5%. The contribution of HIV-ST to total new positives increased from 10% in October 2018 to 80% at the end of March 2020 ( p < 0.001). Positivity rates from HIV-ST were significantly different by age-groups, sex and district ( p = 0.04). Additionally, index and mobile testing had a higher positivity rate compared to HIV-ST ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: The ZHCT project has successfully scaled up HIV self-testing which contributed significantly to HIV case finding. Countries should consider using the lessons to scale-up the intervention which will contribute in reaching under-served and undiagnosed populations
Concordance · Viral load · Demography · HIV Research and Treatment · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Immunology · Internal Medicine
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |