Venues and methods to improve professional men’s access to HIV self-testing and linkage to HIV prevention or treatment: a qualitative study
Abstract Background HIV testing among men in sub-Saharan Africa is sub-optimal. Despite several strategies to improve access to underserved populations, evidence regarding engaging men in professional and formal occupations in HIV testing is limited. This study explored employed professional men’s p...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-07259-6 |
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| author | Patience A. Muwanguzi Esther M. Nasuuna Florence Namimbi Charles Peter Osingada Tom Denis Ngabirano |
| author_facet | Patience A. Muwanguzi Esther M. Nasuuna Florence Namimbi Charles Peter Osingada Tom Denis Ngabirano |
| author_sort | Patience A. Muwanguzi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background HIV testing among men in sub-Saharan Africa is sub-optimal. Despite several strategies to improve access to underserved populations, evidence regarding engaging men in professional and formal occupations in HIV testing is limited. This study explored employed professional men’s preferences for uptake of HIV self-testing, and linkage to HIV care, or prevention services. Methods This was an explorative-descriptive qualitative study where a sample of 33 men from six Ugandan urban centres. Participants were purposively selected guided by the International Standard Classification of Occupations to participate in in-depth interviews. The data were collected using an interview guide and the sample size was determined by data saturation. Eligibility criteria included fulltime formal employment for over a year at that organization. The data were analyzed manually using thematic content analysis. Results Three categories emerged: uptake of HIV self-tests, process of HIV self-testing and linkage to post-test services. The different modes of distribution of HIV self-test kits included secondary distribution, self-tests at typically male dominated spaces, delivery to workplaces and technology-based delivery. The process of HIV self-testing may be optimized by providing collection bins, and mHealth or mobile phone applications. Linkage to further care or prevention services may be enhanced using medical insurance providers, giving incentives and tele counselling. Conclusion We recommend utilization of several channels for the uptake of HIV self-tests. These include distribution of test kits both to offices and men’s leisure and recreation ‘hot spots’, Additionally, female partners, peers and established men’s group including social media groups can play a role in improving the uptake of HIV self-testing. Mobile phones and digital technology can be applied in innovative ways for the return of test results and to strengthen linkage to care or prevention services. Partnership with medical insurers may be critical in engaging men in professional employment in HIV services. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T20:51:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5616ff2536a64ad39ca63f452e4973c5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T20:51:54Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-5616ff2536a64ad39ca63f452e4973c52022-12-22T04:03:49ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632021-11-0121111210.1186/s12913-021-07259-6Venues and methods to improve professional men’s access to HIV self-testing and linkage to HIV prevention or treatment: a qualitative studyPatience A. Muwanguzi0Esther M. Nasuuna1Florence Namimbi2Charles Peter Osingada3Tom Denis Ngabirano4School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere UniversityInfectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere UniversityInfectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere UniversitySchool of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere UniversitySchool of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere UniversityAbstract Background HIV testing among men in sub-Saharan Africa is sub-optimal. Despite several strategies to improve access to underserved populations, evidence regarding engaging men in professional and formal occupations in HIV testing is limited. This study explored employed professional men’s preferences for uptake of HIV self-testing, and linkage to HIV care, or prevention services. Methods This was an explorative-descriptive qualitative study where a sample of 33 men from six Ugandan urban centres. Participants were purposively selected guided by the International Standard Classification of Occupations to participate in in-depth interviews. The data were collected using an interview guide and the sample size was determined by data saturation. Eligibility criteria included fulltime formal employment for over a year at that organization. The data were analyzed manually using thematic content analysis. Results Three categories emerged: uptake of HIV self-tests, process of HIV self-testing and linkage to post-test services. The different modes of distribution of HIV self-test kits included secondary distribution, self-tests at typically male dominated spaces, delivery to workplaces and technology-based delivery. The process of HIV self-testing may be optimized by providing collection bins, and mHealth or mobile phone applications. Linkage to further care or prevention services may be enhanced using medical insurance providers, giving incentives and tele counselling. Conclusion We recommend utilization of several channels for the uptake of HIV self-tests. These include distribution of test kits both to offices and men’s leisure and recreation ‘hot spots’, Additionally, female partners, peers and established men’s group including social media groups can play a role in improving the uptake of HIV self-testing. Mobile phones and digital technology can be applied in innovative ways for the return of test results and to strengthen linkage to care or prevention services. Partnership with medical insurers may be critical in engaging men in professional employment in HIV services.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-07259-6Workplace HIV testingHIV self-testingMenUrbanSub-Saharan Africa |
| spellingShingle | Patience A. Muwanguzi Esther M. Nasuuna Florence Namimbi Charles Peter Osingada Tom Denis Ngabirano Venues and methods to improve professional men’s access to HIV self-testing and linkage to HIV prevention or treatment: a qualitative study BMC Health Services Research Workplace HIV testing HIV self-testing Men Urban Sub-Saharan Africa |
| title | Venues and methods to improve professional men’s access to HIV self-testing and linkage to HIV prevention or treatment: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Venues and methods to improve professional men’s access to HIV self-testing and linkage to HIV prevention or treatment: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Venues and methods to improve professional men’s access to HIV self-testing and linkage to HIV prevention or treatment: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Venues and methods to improve professional men’s access to HIV self-testing and linkage to HIV prevention or treatment: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Venues and methods to improve professional men’s access to HIV self-testing and linkage to HIV prevention or treatment: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | venues and methods to improve professional men s access to hiv self testing and linkage to hiv prevention or treatment a qualitative study |
| topic | Workplace HIV testing HIV self-testing Men Urban Sub-Saharan Africa |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-07259-6 |
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