Young people’s preferences for HIV self-testing services in Nigeria: a qualitative analysis
Abstract Background HIV self-testing (HIVST) provides young people with a convenient, discreet, and empowering way to know their HIV status. However, there is limited knowledge of young people’s preferences for HIVST services and potential factors that may influence the uptake of HIVST among this po...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-10072-1 |
| _version_ | 1818411169949417472 |
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| author | Chisom Obiezu-Umeh Titilola Gbajabiamila Oliver Ezechi Ucheoma Nwaozuru Jason J. Ong Ifeoma Idigbe David Oladele Adesola Z. Musa Florida Uzoaru Collins Airhihenbuwa Joseph D. Tucker Juliet Iwelunmor |
| author_facet | Chisom Obiezu-Umeh Titilola Gbajabiamila Oliver Ezechi Ucheoma Nwaozuru Jason J. Ong Ifeoma Idigbe David Oladele Adesola Z. Musa Florida Uzoaru Collins Airhihenbuwa Joseph D. Tucker Juliet Iwelunmor |
| author_sort | Chisom Obiezu-Umeh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background HIV self-testing (HIVST) provides young people with a convenient, discreet, and empowering way to know their HIV status. However, there is limited knowledge of young people’s preferences for HIVST services and potential factors that may influence the uptake of HIVST among this population. The purpose of this research was to use qualitative methods to examine HIVST preferences among Nigerian youth. Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of young people 14–24 years old were conducted in Lagos, Nigeria. Data were analyzed thematically to identify themes and domains related to preferences and factors influencing the use of HIV self-testing. Results A total of 65 youth with mean age of 21 years, were interviewed, and the majority were females (56%). Four themes emerged as the most important characteristics that may influence young people’s preferences for HIV self-testing: 1) Cost (i.e. majority of participants noted that they would pay between NGN500 to NGN1,500 naira (USD1.38–USD4.16) for oral HIV self-testing kits); 2) Testing method (i.e. although blood-based sample kits were more popular than oral-based self-testing kits, most preferred the oral-based option due to its perceived benefits and for some, phobia of needles); 3) Access location (i.e. participants suggested they preferred to obtain the HIVST kits from youth-friendly centers, pharmacies, private health facilities, and online stores); and 4) Continuing care and support (i.e. participants highlighted the importance of linkage to care with trained youth health workers for positive or negative test results or toll-free helpline). Conclusion HIV self-testing preferences among Nigerian youth appear to be influenced by several factors including lower cost, less invasive testing method, location of testing, and linkage to care and support post testing. Findings underscore the need to address young people’s HIV self-testing preferences as a foundation for implementing programs and research to increase the uptake of HIVST. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T10:27:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9c896bc8371b4c58ab555d5882a07f55 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T10:27:09Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-9c896bc8371b4c58ab555d5882a07f552022-12-21T23:06:17ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582021-01-012111910.1186/s12889-020-10072-1Young people’s preferences for HIV self-testing services in Nigeria: a qualitative analysisChisom Obiezu-Umeh0Titilola Gbajabiamila1Oliver Ezechi2Ucheoma Nwaozuru3Jason J. Ong4Ifeoma Idigbe5David Oladele6Adesola Z. Musa7Florida Uzoaru8Collins Airhihenbuwa9Joseph D. Tucker10Juliet Iwelunmor11College for public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis UniversityDepartment of Clinical Sciences National Institute of Medical ResearchDepartment of Clinical Sciences National Institute of Medical ResearchCollege for public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis UniversityDepartment of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineDepartment of Clinical Sciences National Institute of Medical ResearchDepartment of Clinical Sciences National Institute of Medical ResearchDepartment of Clinical Sciences National Institute of Medical ResearchCollege for public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis UniversitySchool of Public Health, Georgia State UniversityDepartment of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineCollege for public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis UniversityAbstract Background HIV self-testing (HIVST) provides young people with a convenient, discreet, and empowering way to know their HIV status. However, there is limited knowledge of young people’s preferences for HIVST services and potential factors that may influence the uptake of HIVST among this population. The purpose of this research was to use qualitative methods to examine HIVST preferences among Nigerian youth. Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of young people 14–24 years old were conducted in Lagos, Nigeria. Data were analyzed thematically to identify themes and domains related to preferences and factors influencing the use of HIV self-testing. Results A total of 65 youth with mean age of 21 years, were interviewed, and the majority were females (56%). Four themes emerged as the most important characteristics that may influence young people’s preferences for HIV self-testing: 1) Cost (i.e. majority of participants noted that they would pay between NGN500 to NGN1,500 naira (USD1.38–USD4.16) for oral HIV self-testing kits); 2) Testing method (i.e. although blood-based sample kits were more popular than oral-based self-testing kits, most preferred the oral-based option due to its perceived benefits and for some, phobia of needles); 3) Access location (i.e. participants suggested they preferred to obtain the HIVST kits from youth-friendly centers, pharmacies, private health facilities, and online stores); and 4) Continuing care and support (i.e. participants highlighted the importance of linkage to care with trained youth health workers for positive or negative test results or toll-free helpline). Conclusion HIV self-testing preferences among Nigerian youth appear to be influenced by several factors including lower cost, less invasive testing method, location of testing, and linkage to care and support post testing. Findings underscore the need to address young people’s HIV self-testing preferences as a foundation for implementing programs and research to increase the uptake of HIVST.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-10072-1HIVYouthHIV self-testingNigeriaLMICs |
| spellingShingle | Chisom Obiezu-Umeh Titilola Gbajabiamila Oliver Ezechi Ucheoma Nwaozuru Jason J. Ong Ifeoma Idigbe David Oladele Adesola Z. Musa Florida Uzoaru Collins Airhihenbuwa Joseph D. Tucker Juliet Iwelunmor Young people’s preferences for HIV self-testing services in Nigeria: a qualitative analysis BMC Public Health HIV Youth HIV self-testing Nigeria LMICs |
| title | Young people’s preferences for HIV self-testing services in Nigeria: a qualitative analysis |
| title_full | Young people’s preferences for HIV self-testing services in Nigeria: a qualitative analysis |
| title_fullStr | Young people’s preferences for HIV self-testing services in Nigeria: a qualitative analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Young people’s preferences for HIV self-testing services in Nigeria: a qualitative analysis |
| title_short | Young people’s preferences for HIV self-testing services in Nigeria: a qualitative analysis |
| title_sort | young people s preferences for hiv self testing services in nigeria a qualitative analysis |
| topic | HIV Youth HIV self-testing Nigeria LMICs |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-10072-1 |
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