Scientific Reports (Dec 2024)

Evaluating the effectiveness of oral HIV self testing according to distribution models in Cameroon

  • Yagai Bouba,
  • Audrey Raissa Dzaddi Djomo,
  • Fatima Nkain Mouliom,
  • Adamou Souleymanou,
  • Ebiama Lifanda,
  • Yakouba Liman,
  • Roger Onana,
  • Annie Michele Salla,
  • Lily Claire Ekobika,
  • Gutenberg Tchikangni,
  • Edwige Guissana Omona,
  • Ingrid Kenko Abo’o Myrtho,
  • Ernest Désiré Anaba Mvilongo,
  • Antoine Socpa,
  • Rogers Awoh Ajeh,
  • Marie Jose Essi,
  • Serge Clotaire Billong,
  • Hadja Cherif Hamsatou,
  • Anne Cecile Zoung-Kanyi Bissek

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78444-w
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Innovative strategies such as HIV self-testing (HIVST) are useful for identifying hard-to-reach people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), especially in developing settings where considerable gaps still exist in reaching the first 95% UNAIDS target. We evaluated the effectiveness of HIVST in Cameroon using several distribution models and investigated the predictors of HIV seropositivity among self-testers. The study was conducted from 2021 to 2022 in three regions in Cameroon. HIVST kits were distributed according to 5 distribution models: antenatal, postnatal, maternal and child clinics (ANC/PNC/MCH); partners of PLHIV; workplace; community and HIV-testing services (HTS). Overall, 42,687 people received oral HIVST kits, among whom 15.6% were HIV first-testers. Approximately 85% reported on the test outcome; 2.3% (n = 825) were reactive, and 75.8% came for test confirmation. After the confirmation test, a concordance of 85% was found with the national algorithm. Overall, the HIV seroprevalence was 1.5% [95% CI: 1.4–1.6]; ANC/PNC/MCHC: 1.9%, partners of PLHIV: 6.9%, workplace: 0.5%, community: 0.1% and HTS: 7.0%, p < 0.001. The positivity rate among first-testers was 1.2%. Youths < 25 years had a lower seroprevalence (0.4%) than older people (2.6% and 2.7% for those aged 25–39 and those aged ≥ 40 years, respectively), p < 0.001. Seropositivity was negatively associated with secondary distribution, workplace model, community model and age < 25 years. On the other hand, partners of PLHIV model, HTS model, female sex and first-time-testers were positively associated with seropositivity. In Cameroon, oral HIVST is an effective approach for identifying undiagnosed PLHIV, especially when using ANC/PNC/MCHC, partners of PLHIV and HTS distribution models. However, to ensure the successful scale-up of HIVST in Cameroon, guidelines should be revised to fine-tune the target populations for HIVST and optimize the use of resources.

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