HIV Self-testing in Rivers State
During the implementation period of the HIVST project, to achieve both distribution and positivity targets, several approaches were utilized to meet different the respective populations. Our teams used both the direct-assist method where we support the participants to carry out the test on themselves and the indirect distribution model where the mode of usage has been explained to the user to carry out the test in the comfort and privacy of their homes or handed to their partner for use. The beneficiaries of the HIVST were in two categories, precisely adult men (general population men) and key population (KP communities). Adult men comprise men of sexual adult age living within the local government area and the respective communities. These men were the target population for the HIVST with their social and biological networks. Similarly, we distributed the HIVST amongst the key population communities which comprise men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSWs), and people who inject drugs (PWIDs). Within the five months of implementing the HIVST project in Rivers state, we received a total of 16,600 HIVST kits for distribution. We distributed a total of 15,435 HIVST kits amongst 7 LGAs in Rivers state with a 93% achievement. During this period of implementing the HIVST project in Rivers state, we identified 121 reactive cases, confirmed 94, and successfully linked 92 positives to ART care in the facility. In the future, we look forward to distributing all HIV kits allocated to us, we intend to be more targeted and improve positivity yield to support the program goals.

HIV Self-Testing Kits could be the game changer in ensuring that the remain set of hidden HIV cases are diagnosed and linked to treatment. Great work.