TY - JOUR
T1 - Home-based delivery of HIV self-tests by adolescent girls and young women to male sexual partners in Johannesburg, South Africa
T2 - benefits and concerns
AU - Tembo, Angela
AU - Mutunga, Lillian
AU - Schwartz, Sheree
AU - Bassett, Jean
AU - Ngwato, Tara Polzer
AU - Pakade, Nomancotsho
AU - Van Rie, Annelies
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - There is limited information about the best strategy for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) to negotiate HIV testing with their male partners. HIV self-testing as a strategy has the potential to overcome barriers to traditional HIV testing among men. We conducted formative feasibility research on secondary distribution of HIV self-tests by HIV negative AGYW to their male partners in northern Johannesburg, South Africa. A total of 8 focus group discussions with AGYW and men and 20 key informant interviews with community stakeholders were conducted to determine the best approach to partner-initiated testing. This study suggested that AGYW-initiated secondary distribution of HIV self-testing to their male sexual partners is considered an acceptable strategy by AGYW, men, and the community at large. The benefits included empowerment of women, reduction in HIV-testing associated stigma, and increased privacy and confidentiality for the men who test. Major concerns were safety of the AGYW, safety of men testing positive at home, and the lack of pre- and post-test counseling. The outcomes of the formative research were used to refine strategies for a secondary distribution of HIV self-testing intervention.
AB - There is limited information about the best strategy for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) to negotiate HIV testing with their male partners. HIV self-testing as a strategy has the potential to overcome barriers to traditional HIV testing among men. We conducted formative feasibility research on secondary distribution of HIV self-tests by HIV negative AGYW to their male partners in northern Johannesburg, South Africa. A total of 8 focus group discussions with AGYW and men and 20 key informant interviews with community stakeholders were conducted to determine the best approach to partner-initiated testing. This study suggested that AGYW-initiated secondary distribution of HIV self-testing to their male sexual partners is considered an acceptable strategy by AGYW, men, and the community at large. The benefits included empowerment of women, reduction in HIV-testing associated stigma, and increased privacy and confidentiality for the men who test. Major concerns were safety of the AGYW, safety of men testing positive at home, and the lack of pre- and post-test counseling. The outcomes of the formative research were used to refine strategies for a secondary distribution of HIV self-testing intervention.
KW - acceptability
KW - adolescent girls and young women (AGYW)
KW - HIV self-testing
KW - men
KW - secondary distribution
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U2 - 10.1080/09540121.2020.1810615
DO - 10.1080/09540121.2020.1810615
M3 - Article
C2 - 32835504
AN - SCOPUS:85089783718
JO - AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
JF - AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
SN - 0954-0121
ER -