Study title: The Feasibility and Acceptability of HIV Self-Testing in adolescents and young people

Lead researcher(s)

Grace McHugh

Funder(s)

European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) 2018-2020

Partner(s)

SolidarMed, PSI, Ministry of Health and Child Care

Background

Young people have the highest incidence of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, but the lowest rates of testing. The Feasibility and Acceptability of HIV Self-Testing in adolescents and young people (FAST) study will investigate whether self-testing using oral mucosal transudate (OMT) tests could be a solution. An OMT test is a small oral swab that can be used to detect HIV antibodies in the inside cheek and around the gums.

Study aim(s)

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Study Design

The study distributed 5,000 OMT self-testing kits to young people aged 16-24 at tertiary education institutions. We measured the proportion of people who completed a test and, referred for health care. We conducted qualitative interviews to understand young people’s experiences of HIV self-testing and the referral process. Young people who received the test kits had the option of downloading a mobile app, ITHAKA, which gave step-by-step instructions on how to carry out the OMT test and allowed users to submit their test results via the app; the cost of which was covered by pre-paid mobile phone data. Alternatively, others chose to test at the distribution point, in a private booth.

Study dates

May 2019 -June 2019