Effectiveness of HIV Self-Testing in Assisted Partner Services (APS-HIVST Study)
Practical Solutions and Value
Assisted partner services (APS) is a successful strategy for increasing HIV testing, new diagnoses, and linkage to care among partners of people living with HIV (PLWH). However, it can be resource intensive. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of offering HIV self-testing (HIVST) as an option for partner testing within APS.
Methods: A trial compared provider-delivered HIV testing (Standard APS) with offering partners the option of provider-delivered testing or HIVST (APS+HIVST) at 24 health facilities in Western Kenya. The study analyzed the impact on HIV testing, new HIV diagnoses, and linkage to care.
Results: Among partners eligible for testing, 96.9% were successfully contacted for APS and tested for HIV. In the APS+HIVST arm, 84.6% tested via HIVST and 15.4% received provider-delivered testing. Overall, 16.7% of those tested were newly diagnosed with HIV, with over 90% linked to care.
Conclusions: Integrating HIVST into APS remains an effective strategy for identifying PLWH by successfully reaching and testing over 95% of partners, with one in six of those tested being newly diagnosed with HIV, over 90% of whom were linked to care.
Clinical Trial Number: NCT04774835
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