Alone But Supported: A Qualitative Study of an HIV Self-testing App in an Observational Cohort Study in South Africa

Ricky Janssen; Nora Engel; Aliasgar Esmail; Suzette Oelofse; Anja Krumeich; Keertan Dheda; Nitika Pant Pai

doi:10.1007/s10461-019-02516-6

Alone But Supported: A Qualitative Study of an HIV Self-testing App in an Observational Cohort Study in South Africa

Ricky Janssen, Nora Engel, Aliasgar Esmail, Suzette Oelofse, Anja Krumeich, Keertan Dheda, Nitika Pant Pai

Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

HIV self-testing has the potential to improve test access and uptake, but concerns remain regarding counselling and support during and after HIV self-testing. We investigated an oral HIV self-testing strategy together with a mobile phone/tablet application to see if and how it provided counselling and support, and how it might impact test access. This ethnographic study was nested within an ongoing observational cohort study in Cape Town, South Africa. Qualitative data was collected from study participants and study staff using 33 semi-structured interviews, one focus group discussion, and observation notes. The app provided information and guidance while also addressing privacy concerns. The flexibility and support provided by the strategy gave participants more control in choosing whom they included during testing. Accessibility concerns included smartphone access and usability issues for older and rural users. The adaptable access and support of this strategy could aid in expanding test access in South Africa.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	467-474
Journal	AIDS and Behavior
Volume	24
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-019-02516-6
Publication status	Published - 1 Feb 2020
Externally published	Yes

Funding

This project was funded by a transition to scale grant from Grand Challenges Canada, #0732-05 (awarded to Dr. Pant Pai), the Department of Science & Technology, South Africa (awarded to Dr. Dheda and Dr. Pant Pai), the South African Medical Research Council SHIP (awarded to Dr. Dheda and Dr. Pant Pai), and a RI-MUHC Foundation Award. The test kits were provided by OraSure Technologies (PA, USA). Dr Pant Pai acknowledges the support of The fonds de recherche du Québec—Santé Research-Scholar Award (Senior) and CIHR operating grants (HHP 137872 and PJT 153149). We would like to thank the study participants and staff at the University of Cape Town for their input, time and efforts throughout the research process.

Funders	Funder number
OraSure Technologies
RI-MUHC
Canadian Institutes of Health Research	PJT 153149, HHP 137872
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Santé
South African Medical Research Council
Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India
Grand Challenges Canada	0732-05
Grand Challenges Canada

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Alone But Supported: A Qualitative Study of an HIV Self-testing App in an Observational Cohort Study in South Africa

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