Brief Report: Pediatric Saliva-Based HIV Testing: Health care Worker and Caregiver Acceptability.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pediatric HIV testing remains suboptimal. The OraQuick test [saliva-based test (SBT)] is validated in pediatric populations ≥18 months. Understanding caregiver and health care worker (HCW) acceptability of pediatric SBT is critical for implementation.

Methods

A trained qualitative interviewer conducted 8 focus group discussions (FGDs): 4 with HCWs and 4 with caregivers of children seeking health services in western Kenya. FGDs explored acceptability of pediatric SBT and home- and facility-based SBT use. Two reviewers conducted consensus coding and thematic analyses of transcripts using Dedoose.

Results

Most HCWs but few caregivers had heard of SBT. Before seeing SBT instructions, both had concerns about potential HIV transmission through saliva, which were

SUBMITTER: Neary J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9283261 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature