Acceptability and perceptions of HIV oral self-testing across settings: A comparative qualitative study among Dominican and Tanzanian female sex workers
Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Rapid oral HIV self-tests (HIVST) have potential to increase the proportion of people who know their HIV status, especially among stigmatised populations. This study was embedded in two cohorts of female sex workers (FSW) in the Dominican Republic (DR) and Tanzania. Qualitative interviews with 40 FSW were conducted to explore perceived acceptability of HIVST. Interviews were analysed using inductive and deductive thematic coding. Emergent themes were organised by socio-ecological framework levels. FSW in both settings responded positively to the ease of use of HIVST but questioned test accuracy due to the use of saliva rather than blood. FSW in the DR had a more cautious response, while women in Tanzania had favourable perceptions expressing eagerness to use it. At the individual level, themes shaping participants' interest included autonomy, HIV risk perception, and emotional well-being for those with reactive test results, and self-efficacy. At the interpersonal level, privacy, confidentiality, sex work and HIV stigma and social support were salient. Structural level themes focused on health systems including linkages to HIV treatment, provider roles, and access (cost, travel, distribution). Understanding FSW's perceptions and acceptability of HIVST is essential to its integration into health systems and programmes using a community-driven approach.
Source: Global Public Health
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: Center for AIDS Research, University of Washington, Center for AIDS Research, Johns Hopkins University, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Fogarty International Center, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Awards: Dartmouth-Boston University HIV-TB Research Training for the Infectious Disease Institute at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Preferences for PrEP in Tanzanian Women at Heightened Risk of HIV Infection, Stigma, Cohesion and HIV Outcomes Among Vulnerable Women Across Epidemic Settings, G653582874, G7178514535, Carolina Population Center, Community-based combination HIV prevention in Tanzanian women at heightened risk, G8743910877, The Johns Hopkins Center for AIDS Research (JHU CFAR)
OpenAlex ID: W3139074840