Purpose

To increase the reach of HIV testing services (HTS) to achieve UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets for South Africa.

HIV self-screening has the potential to reach hard-to-reach at-risk populations and those who do not traditionally access HIV testing services.

 

Aim

• To reach 4000 high-risk individuals (minimum 60% male) with HTS by generating demand for and distributing HIV self-test kits coupled with post-test telephonic support to ensure that those who test positive for HIV during the HIV self-screening process are effectively linked to clinical services for confirmatory testing and care and treatment services.

• To understand operational issues associated with the provision of HIV self-screening to inform future project expansion. Operational elements such as the ability to contact those who access HIV self-screening services, the HIV positivity rate among those accessing self-screening services, rates of linkages to confirmatory testing, as well as the uptake of self-screening in various settings and approaches will be assessed. 

 

Intended/Potential use of project findings

To increase access to HTS among a population (adult men) that does not adequately utilise HIV testing services. Information obtained during the demonstration project will also be used to assess the success of various demand creation activities to achieve uptake of 4000 HIV self-screening kits among sexually active adults, at least 60% of whom will be adult men. In addition, project findings will be used to tailor demand creation to increase uptake of HIVST and increase operational effectiveness within an HIV self-screening programme. 

 

Rationale

To distribute HIV self-screening kits reach 4000 high-risk adults with HTS who would otherwise not access services. The provision of self-screening kits aims to increase access to HTS to traditionally hard-to-reach populations such as sexually active adult men, and aligns with the South African Patients’ Rights Charter and the National Health Act, which both urge people to take responsibility for their own health. Distribution of self-screening kits by pharmacists and Professional Nurses through the iKapa Cares network of pharmacies coupled with pre- and post-test counselling and support provided by trained counsellor at a multi-lingual outbound call center offers the opportunity to decrease the staff/time requirements of providing pre- and post-test counselling, without compromising on quality and necessary follow-up linkages to care for those who test HIV positive. In addition, offering HIV self-screening kits through an online ordering system has the potential to increase HIV case finding.

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Disclaimer

While the OraQuick self-screening device is being used in the roll-out of the project, neither the project nor its partners endorse any specific self-screening product.