The contribution of HIV self-testing on the uptake of HIV services and associated factors among adult males in Geita district council

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Notably, men are less likely than women to know their HIV status, be on treatment, and achieve viral suppression. WHO recommended HIV self-testing as an approach for improving men’s uptake of HTS. Objectives: To determine the contribution of HIV self-testing on the uptake of HIV service among adult males in Geita DC focusing on individual, community, and health system-related factors influencing HIVST. Materials and methods: A pre- and post-evaluation study design using mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) employed. Qualitative data were collected using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative data information on adult males who reported HIV testing between 2017 and 2022 in Geita DC were collected from the client’s medical records using an abstraction form from the Ministry of health-DHIS2 database. Thematic and descriptive analysis were employed for qualitative and quantitative data respectively. Results: HIV testing uptake among adult males in 2017 to 2022 were 13.1% and 16.3% respectively, 2021 and 2022, testing rates were 11.9% and 16.3% respectively, HIVST accounts for 1.9% in 2021 and 21.97% in 2022. The positivity rates were 5.4% in 2017 and 3.6% in 2022 and linked to CTC service were 56.8% in 2017 and 94.0% in 2022, HIVST accounts for 21.97% of all positive linkage in 2022. Low level of awareness, availability of HIVST supplies, misconception and stigma are factors deterring the use of HIVST. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study findings suggest that scaling up HIVST could improve the proportion of men reached with HIV self-testing services and improve HIV testing rates among men where uptake of HIV testing remains low. To scale up HIVST the government in collaboration with implementing partners to develop effective HIVST strategies should directly target males independently using peers and their romantic partners.