Can HIV self-testing reach first-time testers? A telephone survey among self-test end users in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal
Abstract Background Coverage of HIV testing remains sub-optimal in West Africa. Between 2019 and 2022, the ATLAS program distributed ~400 000 oral HIV self-tests (HIVST) in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal, prioritising female sex workers (FSW) and men having sex with men (MSM), and relying on secon...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-09-01
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| Series: | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08626-w |
| _version_ | 1797659826917998592 |
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| author | Arsène Kouassi Kra Arlette Simo Fotso Kouassi Noël N’guessan Olivier Geoffroy Sidibé Younoussa Odé Kanku Kabemba Papa Alioune Gueye Pauline Dama Ndeye Nicolas Rouveau Marie-Claude Boily Romain Silhol Marc d’Elbée Mathieu Maheu-Giroux Anthony Vautier Joseph Larmarange on behalf of the ATLAS team |
| author_facet | Arsène Kouassi Kra Arlette Simo Fotso Kouassi Noël N’guessan Olivier Geoffroy Sidibé Younoussa Odé Kanku Kabemba Papa Alioune Gueye Pauline Dama Ndeye Nicolas Rouveau Marie-Claude Boily Romain Silhol Marc d’Elbée Mathieu Maheu-Giroux Anthony Vautier Joseph Larmarange on behalf of the ATLAS team |
| author_sort | Arsène Kouassi Kra |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Coverage of HIV testing remains sub-optimal in West Africa. Between 2019 and 2022, the ATLAS program distributed ~400 000 oral HIV self-tests (HIVST) in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal, prioritising female sex workers (FSW) and men having sex with men (MSM), and relying on secondary redistribution of HIVST to partners, peers and clients to reach individuals not tested through conventional testing. This study assesses the proportion of first-time testers among HIVST users and the associated factors. Methods A phone-based survey was implemented among HIVST users recruited using dedicated leaflets inviting them to anonymously call a free phone number. We collected socio-demographics, sexual behaviours, HIV testing history, HIVST use, and satisfaction with HIVST. We reported the proportion of first-time testers and computed associated factors using logistic regression. Results Between March and June 2021, 2 615 participants were recruited for 50 940 distributed HIVST (participation rate: 5.1%). Among participants, 30% received their HIVST kit through secondary distribution (from a friend, sexual partner, family member, or colleague). The proportion who had never tested for HIV before HIVST (first-time testers) was 41%. The main factors associated with being a first-time tester were sex, age group, education level, condom use, and secondary distribution. A higher proportion was observed among those aged 24 years or less (55% vs 32% for 25–34, aOR: 0.37 [95%CI: 0.30–0.44], and 26% for 35 years or more, aOR: 0.28 [0.21–0.37]); those less educated (48% for none/primary education vs 45% for secondary education, aOR: 0.60 [0.47–0.77], and 29% for higher education, aOR: 0.33 [0.25–0.44]). A lower proportion was observed among women (37% vs 43%, aOR: 0.49 [0.40–0.60]); those reporting always using a condom over the last year (36% vs 51% for those reporting never using them, aOR: 2.02 [1.59–2.56]); and those who received their HISVST kit through primary distribution (39% vs 46% for secondary distribution, aOR: 1.32 [1.08–1.60]). Conclusion ATLAS HIVST strategy, including secondary distribution, successfully reached a significant proportion of first-time testers. HIVST has the potential to reach underserved populations and contribute to the expansion of HIV testing services in West Africa. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T18:20:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-29a9e3bb43f8465d8bdf9efcbf9be8c2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2334 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T18:20:51Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj.art-29a9e3bb43f8465d8bdf9efcbf9be8c22023-10-15T11:07:54ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342023-09-0122S111610.1186/s12879-023-08626-wCan HIV self-testing reach first-time testers? A telephone survey among self-test end users in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and SenegalArsène Kouassi Kra0Arlette Simo Fotso1Kouassi Noël N’guessan2Olivier Geoffroy3Sidibé Younoussa4Odé Kanku Kabemba5Papa Alioune Gueye6Pauline Dama Ndeye7Nicolas Rouveau8Marie-Claude Boily9Romain Silhol10Marc d’Elbée11Mathieu Maheu-Giroux12Anthony Vautier13Joseph Larmarange14on behalf of the ATLAS teamCentre Population et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université Paris Cité, InsermCentre Population et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université Paris Cité, InsermSolidarité Thérapeutique et Initiatives pour la Santé (Solthis)Solidarité Thérapeutique et Initiatives pour la Santé (Solthis)Solidarité Thérapeutique et Initiatives pour la Santé (Solthis)Solidarité Thérapeutique et Initiatives pour la Santé (Solthis)Solidarité Thérapeutique et Initiatives pour la Santé (Solthis)Solidarité Thérapeutique et Initiatives pour la Santé (Solthis)Centre Population et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université Paris Cité, InsermMRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College LondonMRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College LondonDepartment of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health, McGill UniversitySolidarité Thérapeutique et Initiatives pour la Santé (Solthis)Centre Population et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université Paris Cité, InsermAbstract Background Coverage of HIV testing remains sub-optimal in West Africa. Between 2019 and 2022, the ATLAS program distributed ~400 000 oral HIV self-tests (HIVST) in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal, prioritising female sex workers (FSW) and men having sex with men (MSM), and relying on secondary redistribution of HIVST to partners, peers and clients to reach individuals not tested through conventional testing. This study assesses the proportion of first-time testers among HIVST users and the associated factors. Methods A phone-based survey was implemented among HIVST users recruited using dedicated leaflets inviting them to anonymously call a free phone number. We collected socio-demographics, sexual behaviours, HIV testing history, HIVST use, and satisfaction with HIVST. We reported the proportion of first-time testers and computed associated factors using logistic regression. Results Between March and June 2021, 2 615 participants were recruited for 50 940 distributed HIVST (participation rate: 5.1%). Among participants, 30% received their HIVST kit through secondary distribution (from a friend, sexual partner, family member, or colleague). The proportion who had never tested for HIV before HIVST (first-time testers) was 41%. The main factors associated with being a first-time tester were sex, age group, education level, condom use, and secondary distribution. A higher proportion was observed among those aged 24 years or less (55% vs 32% for 25–34, aOR: 0.37 [95%CI: 0.30–0.44], and 26% for 35 years or more, aOR: 0.28 [0.21–0.37]); those less educated (48% for none/primary education vs 45% for secondary education, aOR: 0.60 [0.47–0.77], and 29% for higher education, aOR: 0.33 [0.25–0.44]). A lower proportion was observed among women (37% vs 43%, aOR: 0.49 [0.40–0.60]); those reporting always using a condom over the last year (36% vs 51% for those reporting never using them, aOR: 2.02 [1.59–2.56]); and those who received their HISVST kit through primary distribution (39% vs 46% for secondary distribution, aOR: 1.32 [1.08–1.60]). Conclusion ATLAS HIVST strategy, including secondary distribution, successfully reached a significant proportion of first-time testers. HIVST has the potential to reach underserved populations and contribute to the expansion of HIV testing services in West Africa.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08626-wHIV self-testingPhone‐based surveyKey populationsWest AfricaCôte d’IvoireMali |
| spellingShingle | Arsène Kouassi Kra Arlette Simo Fotso Kouassi Noël N’guessan Olivier Geoffroy Sidibé Younoussa Odé Kanku Kabemba Papa Alioune Gueye Pauline Dama Ndeye Nicolas Rouveau Marie-Claude Boily Romain Silhol Marc d’Elbée Mathieu Maheu-Giroux Anthony Vautier Joseph Larmarange on behalf of the ATLAS team Can HIV self-testing reach first-time testers? A telephone survey among self-test end users in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal BMC Infectious Diseases HIV self-testing Phone‐based survey Key populations West Africa Côte d’Ivoire Mali |
| title | Can HIV self-testing reach first-time testers? A telephone survey among self-test end users in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal |
| title_full | Can HIV self-testing reach first-time testers? A telephone survey among self-test end users in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal |
| title_fullStr | Can HIV self-testing reach first-time testers? A telephone survey among self-test end users in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Can HIV self-testing reach first-time testers? A telephone survey among self-test end users in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal |
| title_short | Can HIV self-testing reach first-time testers? A telephone survey among self-test end users in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal |
| title_sort | can hiv self testing reach first time testers a telephone survey among self test end users in cote d ivoire mali and senegal |
| topic | HIV self-testing Phone‐based survey Key populations West Africa Côte d’Ivoire Mali |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08626-w |
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