Year: 2011
Type: report
Abstract: AIDS Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome CCC Comprehensive care center CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention FGD Focus group discussion HIV Human immunodeficiency virus HST Home self-testing IEC Information, education, and communication IDI In-depth interview KHWS Kenya Health Worker Survey MCH Maternal and child health MOH Ministry of Health NASCOP National AIDS and STD Control Program PEP Post-exposure prophylaxis VCT Voluntary counseling and testing "Knowing Myself First": Feasibility of Self-testing among Health Workers in Kenya ■ i ExECUTivE SUMMARY introductionThis study explored the feasibility and acceptability of free HIV home self-testing (HST) among health workers in Kenya, within the range of other HIV testing options available.It was based on survey findings, from the Kenya Health Workers Survey (KHWS) of 2005, that 77 percent of health workers who had never taken an HIV test wished to test themselves were free home self-tests offered; indeed focus group discussions (FGDs) revealed that many had already tested themselves.The study was also based on the fact that HIV testing kits could already be purchased over the counter in Kenya. MethodologyTitled "Knowing Myself First," the project tested the HST intervention in seven districtlevel hospitals, preceded by a one-month pilot-test in two other hospitals.FGDs with health workers were conducted to determine the content and structure of the service.During the intervention, health workers interested in testing themselves participated in pre-HST information sessions, and were offered Calypte® Aware™ oral test 1 .Further HST information was provided by on-site coordinators.A 15-hour/day toll-free cell phone hotline counseling was also offered.All HST services were free of charge.A post-intervention survey of 765 health workers was conducted a month after the HST kits were distributed, to document uptake.Post-intervention FGDs were held to clarify the survey findings.The study was limited to clinicians, namely doctors, nurses, clinical officers, laboratory technicians, social workers and voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) counselors.At no point were the study participants asked their HIV status.The pilot-test was conducted in October 2009, and the main intervention study was conducted from December 2009 to January 2010.The postintervention survey to assess uptake was conducted in January to February 2010. 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (FDA Approval of Calypte): http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/testingresources/qa/pdf/oralfluidqandafin1_1.pdf;accesssed October 16, 2006.ii ■ "Knowing Myself First": Feasibility of Self-testing among Health Workers in Kenya ConclusionsThe study clearly indicates that health workers see the urgency to test themselves for HIV.The study also found that HST kits were desired by the partners of health workers.In this implementation study, we found that the greater hurdle to uptake of self-testing was getting the health workers to attend the HST informational sessions rather than attendees of the sessions accepting the HST kits.Another major gap was the need for post-test counseling and follow-up care and support services for health workers who test HIV-positive. RecommendationsIf the HST program is implemented for heath workers in a facility, the management should work out scheduling issues so health workers are given the opportunity to attend the HST sessions.Further, provision and promotion of post-test counseling or support systems is needed to provide support for those found to be HIV-positive from the HST test, as well as for those found to be negative, so they can continue to stay negative.Implementation and scale-up of this program should be considered based on these lessons learned from this study.
DOI: 10.31899/hiv1.1009
Institutions: Population Council, Population Council
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W2909311057