Supervised and unsupervised self-testing for HIV in high- and low-risk populations: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Stigma, discrimination, lack of privacy, and long waiting times partly explain why six out of ten individuals living with HIV do not access facility-based testing. By circumventing these barriers, self-testing offers potential for more people to know their sero-status. Recent approval of an in-home HIV self test in the US has sparked self-testing initiatives, yet data on acceptability, feasibility, and linkages to care are limited. We systematically reviewed evidence on supervised (self-testing and counselling aided by a health care professional) and unsupervised (performed by self-tester with access to phone/internet counselling) self-testing strategies.

Methods and findings

Seven databases (Medline [via PubMed], Biosis, PsycINFO, Cinahl, African Medicus, LILACS,

SUBMITTER: Pant Pai N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3614510 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature