Pilot implementation of HIV self-testing delivery in private pharmacies combined to a Respondent Driven Sampling method to improve HIV testing for MSM and TGW in Phnom Penh – ANRS 0100s: a prospective feasibility study (Preprint)

Abstract

Regular testing is recognized as a key strategy for HIV control. The 2023 Integrated Biological and Behavioral Survey (IBBS) in Cambodia revealed that nearly one third of men who have sex with men (MSM) and one fourth of transgender women (TGW) were never tested for HIV or since more than 12 months. The majority of MSM and TGW were tested at Community-based organizations (CBO) facilities and by CBO outreach workers while private facilities are poorly used for HIV testing (6% for MSM and 9% for TGW). Private pharmacies could be able to deliver HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits giving the advantage of confidentiality, anonymity and time-saving, in particular for those reluctant to visit CBOs. The recruitment of participants by respondent driven sampling (RDS) method could give the opportunity to reach MSM and TGW outside the network of CBOs.

This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility of HIVST delivery by a private pharmacy combined with RDS method to improve HIV testing among MSM and TGW in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The study design is a mixed qualitative and quantitative approaches. MSM and TGW aged more than 18 years old will be recruited via a Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) method with seeds recruited at hotspots and on social networks. The seeds will then distribute electronic and paper coupons to their networks physically and via social media, messaging and calling applications. Each recruited peer will bring the coupon to receive direct and free access to one HIVST kit at partner pharmacies as well as the 10 additional coupons to recruit the members of their networks. After 6 months, a qualitative assessment will be conducted among users to evaluate the acceptability and appropriateness of the strategy and among pharmacists to identify the barriers and facilitators.

Data collection will be conducted between September 2024 and December 2025. The initial results are expected to be published in February, 2026.

This public-private partnership intervention could allow to reach and test hidden population of MSM and TGW in Phnom Penh.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05745168; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05745168