Lay provider HIV testing: A promising strategy to reach the undiagnosed key populations in Vietnam.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In Vietnam, reaching the remaining one-third of undiagnosed people living with HIV and facilitating their antiretroviral therapy (ART) enrollment requires breakthrough approaches. We piloted lay provider HIV testing as an innovative approach to reach at-risk populations that never or infrequently HIV test at facility-based services.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey and analysis of routine program data in two urban provinces (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) and two rural mountainous provinces (Nghe An and Dien Bien) from October 2015 through September 2017. Acceptability of lay provider testing was defined as the proportion of first-time HIV testers utilizing the service, and effectiveness was measured by HIV positivity and ART initiation rates. Univariate

SUBMITTER: Vu BN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6312239 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature