How informal healthcare providers improve uptake of HIV testing: qualitative results from a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Uganda is HIV-endemic with a prevalence of 5.7%. Lack of epidemic control has been attributed to low engagement with HIV testing. Collaborating with informal healthcare providers, such as traditional healers, has been proposed as a strategy to increase testing uptake. We explored acceptability and implementation of an HIV testing program where traditional healers delivered point-of-care testing and counseling to adults of unknown serostatus (clinicaltrials.gov NCT#03718871).

Methods

This study was conducted in rural, southwestern Uganda. We interviewed participating traditional healers ( N  = 17) and a purposive sample of trial participants ( N  = 107). Healers were practicing within 10 km of Mbarara township, and 18+ years old. Participants were 18+ years old; sex

SUBMITTER: Ponticiello M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9262827 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature