Do community-level factors play a role in HIV self-testing uptake, linkage to services and HIV-related outcomes? A mixed methods study of community-led HIV self-testing in rural Zimbabwe.

ABSTRACT: Community-led interventions, where communities plan and lead implementation, are increasingly being adopted within public health programmes. We explore factors associated with successful community-led distribution of HIV self-test (HIVST) kits to guide future service delivery. Twenty rural communities were supported to distribute HIVST kits for 1-month between January and September 2019. Social science researchers observed communities during planning and HIVST distribution, documenting findings in a standard observation template. Three months post-intervention, a population-based survey measured self-reported new HIV diagnosis, HIVST uptake, linkage to post-test services; and collected blood samples for viral load testing. The survey also included questions related to community cohesion; r

SUBMITTER: Tumushime MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12021296 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature