Assessing awareness and use of HIV self-testing kits after the introduction of a community-based HIV self-testing programme among men who have sex with men in Kenya
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Published:2023-08-18
Issue:8
Volume:3
Page:e0001547
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ISSN:2767-3375
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Container-title:PLOS Global Public Health
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language:en
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Short-container-title:PLOS Glob Public Health
Author:
Shaw Souradet Y.ORCID,
Leung Stella,
Isac ShajyORCID,
Musyoki Helgar,
Mugambi Mary,
Kioko Japheth,
Musimbi Janet,
Olango Kennedy,
Kuria Samuel,
Ongaro Martin K.,
Walimbwa Jeffrey,
Melon Memory,
Emmanuel Faran,
Moses Stephen,
Blanchard James F.,
Pickles MichaelORCID,
Lazarus Lisa,
Lorway Robert R.,
Becker Marissa L.ORCID,
Mishra Sharmistha,
Bhattacharjee ParinitaORCID
Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) bear a disproportionate burden of new HIV infections in Kenya, while experiencing discrimination, leading to suboptimal levels of HIV care. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a tool to increase HIV screening and earlier diagnosis; however, questions remain regarding how best to scale-up HIVST to MSM in Kenya. The main objective of this study was to examine changes in knowledge and use of HIVST after implementation of a community-led HIVST project. Participants were MSM recruited from Kisumu, Mombasa, and Kiambu counties. Data were collected from two rounds (Round 1: 2019; Round 2: 2020) of serial cross-sectional integrated biological and behavioural assessments (IBBA), pre-, and post-project implementation. Two main outcomes were measured: 1) whether the respondent had ever heard of HIVST; and 2) whether they had ever used HIVST kits. Changes in outcomes between IBBA rounds were examined using modified multivariable Poisson regression models; adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) are reported. A total of 2,328 respondents were included in main analyses. The proportion of respondents who had heard of HIVST increased from 75% in Round 1 to 94% in Round 2 (aPR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.2–1.3), while those reporting using an HIVST kit increased from 20% to 53% (aPR: 2.3, 95% CI: 2.0–2.6). Higher levels of education and HIV programme awareness were associated with both outcomes. Awareness and use of HIVST kits increased after implementation of a community-led HIVST implementation project, demonstrating the importance of integration with existing community groups.
Funder
Canadian HIV Trials Network, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator Award
Ontario HIV Treatment Network New Investigator Award
Tier 1 Canada Research Chair
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Tier 2 Canada Research Chair
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
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