Feasibility and Acceptability of HIV Self-testing among Healthcare Workers:

Results of a Pilot Program in Two Hospitals in Kenya

Dr. Sam Kalibala and Dr. Waimar Tun (Population Council),

Dr. William Muraah (Crystal Hill Ltd), Dr. Peter Cherutich (NASCOP-MoH, Kenya),

Ms. Patricia Oluoch , Dr. Becky Bunnell, and Dr. Lawrence Marum (CDC)

XVIII International AIDS Conference Vienna, 18 to 23 July 2010Contact: skalibala@popcouncil.org

Purpose and Objectives

• Purpose: To evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of free HIV self-testing (HST) among healthcare workers in Kenya using an oral test kit.

• A dry-run was conducted in 2 hospitals to inform a country-wide feasibility study.

• Objectives of dry-run:

– Ascertain general safety– Determine feasibility, utility, and acceptability– Test implementation approach and inform major

feasibility study

Methodology

• Pre-HST information sessions held to train health care workers (HCWs) on use of self-test kit.

• Test kits offered to HCWs for self and spouses.

• Additional test kits were left with on-site coordinators for additional distribution if needed.

• Post-test counseling offered at VCT centers or by hotline.

• Post-intervention FGDs and IDIs conducted.

Results: Uptake

Name of hospital Number of eligible HCWs

(Clinicians)

HCWswho attended

HCWs who took test kit

Number % Eligible Number % Attended

Kajjiado District Hospital

95 84 88.4 71 84.5

Naivasha District Hospital

174 161 92.5 159 98.8

Total 269 245 91.1 230 93.9

At both hospitals, there was a high level of attendance (91%) at HST informational sessions by HCWs and high level of acceptance of HST kits (94%).

Results: Emerging Themes from FGDs

• Most HCWs tested shortly after getting the kit.

• Pre-test counseling was adequate but post-test counseling (for HIV+) was not.

• Many took kits to spouses and helped spouses to self-test.

• HCWs felt HST offers more privacy than VCT.

• Generally felt that HCWs should regularly test.

• Better to confirm at VCT off-site.

Conclusion

• HIV self-testing can be successfully implemented among hospital-based HCWs.

• These results suggest that there is high demand for HST and kits must be made available on a larger scale.

•The intervention has been scaled-up in 7 additional hospitals throughout Kenya.

This poster is made possible through the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the

President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief under the terms

of Grant Number 5U62PS224506-05.

The contents are the responsibility of the

Population Council and do not necessarily reflect the views

of CDC or the United States Government.