Author Interviews, HIV, PLoS / 10.09.2015
HIV Self-Testing Found Safe and Acceptable in Community Setting
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Augustine T. Choko MSc
Malawi–Liverpool–Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme
Blantyre, Malawi
Medical Research: What is the background for this study?
Response: Despite rapid scale up of HIV testing in the sub Saharan African region, half of people living with HIV are unware of their status. We investigated a novel approach of HIV self testing as an additional strategy to existing HIV testing options.
Medical Research: What are the main findings?
Response: Population uptake of HIV self testing was high at the first offer and remained high at the second offer 12 months later. The approach saw high numbers of adolescents and men testing.
Community participants with 8% illiterate were able to do the test and correctly interpret it on their own with minimal training.
People who self-tested positive were able to link into the clinic for antiretroviral therapy eligibility assessment.
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