Star Resources - PSI https://www.psi.org Nonprofit organization making it easier for people in the developing world to lead healthier lives and plan the families they desire by marketing affordable products and services. Thu, 12 Sep 2024 01:52:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://media.psi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/31002018/cropped-psi-logo-32x32.png Star Resources - PSI https://www.psi.org 32 32 Lessons from Hepatitis C Self-Testing Research and Implementation https://www.psi.org/star_publication/lessons-from-hepatitis-c-self-testing-research-and-implementation/ Thu, 12 Sep 2024 01:52:46 +0000 https://www.psi.org/?post_type=star_publication&p=62994 In 2022, the WHO estimated that 58 million people were living with chronic hepatitis C (HCV), yet only 26% were aware of their status, and even fewer had received treatment. Despite advancements in treatment, low awareness and limited access to testing services keep many individuals undiagnosed. Building on the HIV self-testing insights from the STAR […]

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]]> In 2022, the WHO estimated that 58 million people were living with chronic hepatitis C (HCV), yet only 26% were aware of their status, and even fewer had received treatment. Despite advancements in treatment, low awareness and limited access to testing services keep many individuals undiagnosed.

Building on the HIV self-testing insights from the STAR Initiative, the WHO released guidance on HCV self-testing in 2021, highlighting key research priorities for implementation. This session will feature researchers and implementers from the STAR Hepatitis C Self-Testing Consortium, who will share findings on the feasibility, acceptability, accuracy, costs and cost-effectiveness of HCV self-testing across various settings. The discussion will also explore how these findings are influencing policy and guidance at the country level.

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]]> Innovating with HIV Self-Testing for Impact: Lessons Learned from the STAR Initiative. BMC Infectious Diseases 22 (Supplement 1) https://www.psi.org/star_publication/bmc-id-volume-22-supplement-1-innovating-with-hiv-self-testing-for-impact-in-southern-africa-lessons-learned-from-the-star-initiative/ Mon, 13 May 2024 20:47:51 +0000 https://www.psi.org/?post_type=star_publication&p=61802 BMC Infectious Diseases Volume 22 Supplement 1 highlights key lessons from the STAR (Self-Testing AfrRica) Initiative. Launched eight years ago, STAR represents a pioneering effort in HIV self-testing research and implementation, leading the way in introducing and significantly expanding testing coverage. This series of papers is a collaborative effort between Population Services International (PSI), the […]

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BMC Infectious Diseases Volume 22 Supplement 1 highlights key lessons from the STAR (Self-Testing AfrRica) Initiative. Launched eight years ago, STAR represents a pioneering effort in HIV self-testing research and implementation, leading the way in introducing and significantly expanding testing coverage.

This series of papers is a collaborative effort between Population Services International (PSI), the World Health Organization, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and other members of the STAR Consortium. It presents significant achievements and insights gained from the introduction, scale-up, and optimization of self-testing.

AWARENESS AND DEMAND GENERATION
  • Did You Hear about HIV Self-Testing? HIV Self-Testing Awareness After Community-Based HIVST Distribution in Rural Zimbabwe. Read the article.

 

  • “You have a self-testing method that preserves privacy so how come you cannot give us treatment that does too?”  Exploring the Reasoning Among Young People About Linkage to Prevention, Care, and Treatment After HIV Self-Testing in Southern Malawi. Read the article.
ACCEPTABILITY, FEASIBILITY, AND PREFERENCE
  • Sensitivity and Specificity of Oraquick® HIV Self-Test Compared to a Fourth Generation Laboratory Reference Standard Algorithm in Urban and Rural Zambia. Read the article.

 

  • Preferences for Oral-Fluid-Based or Blood-Based HIV Self-Testing and Provider-Delivered Testing: An Observational Study Among Different Populations in Zimbabwe. Read the article.

 

  • Accuracy of and Preference for Blood-Based Versus Oral Fluid-Based HIV Self-Testing in Malawi: A Cross-Sectional Study. Read the article.
DISTRIBUTION MODELS
  • Do Community Measures Impact the Effectiveness of a Community-Led HIV Testing Intervention? Secondary Analysis of an HIV Self-Testing Intervention in Rural Communities in Zimbabwe. Read the article.

  • Organisation of Testing Services, Structural Barriers and Facilitators of Routine HIV Self-Testing During Sexually Transmitted Infection Consultations: A Qualitative Study of Patients and Providers in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Read the article.

  • Lessons Learned from Implementation of Four HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) Distribution Models in Zambia: Applying the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to Understand Impact of Contextual Factors on Implementation. Read the article.

  • “I take it and give it to my partners who will give it to their partners.” Secondary Distribution of HIV Self-Tests by Key Populations in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal. Read the article.

  • Secondary Distribution of HIV Self-Test Kits by HIV Index and Antenatal Care Clients: Implementation and Costing Results from the STAR Initiative in South Africa. Read the article.

 

  • Can HIV Self-Testing Reach First-Time Testers? A Telephone Survey Among Self-Test End Users in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal. Read the article.​​​​​​
COSTING AND FINANCING
  • Costs of Distributing HIV Self-Testing Kits in Eswatini Through Community and Workplace Models. Read the article.​​​​
SOCIAL HARMS
  • Experience of Social Harms Among Female Sex Workers Following HIV Self-Test Distribution in Malawi: Results of a Cohort Study. Read the article.

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]]> Experience of Social Harms Among Female Sex Workers Following HIV Self-Test Distribution in Malawi: Results of a Cohort Study https://www.psi.org/star_publication/experience-of-social-harms-among-female-sex-workers-following-hiv-self-test-distribution-in-malawi-results-of-a-cohort-study/ Mon, 13 May 2024 03:37:53 +0000 https://www.psi.org/?post_type=star_publication&p=61790 In Malawi, female sex workers (FSW) have high HIV incidence and regular testing is suggested. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a safe and acceptable alternative to standard testing services. This study assessed; whether social harms were more likely to be reported after HIVST distribution to FSW by peer distributors than after facility-based HIV testing and whether […]

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In Malawi, female sex workers (FSW) have high HIV incidence and regular testing is suggested. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a safe and acceptable alternative to standard testing services. This study assessed; whether social harms were more likely to be reported after HIVST distribution to FSW by peer distributors than after facility-based HIV testing and whether FSW regretted HIVST use or experienced associated relationship problems.

This paper is part of a series of articles from BMC Infectious Diseases Volume 22 Supplement 1: Innovating with HIV self-testing for impact in Southern Africa: Lessons learned from the STAR (Self-Testing AfRica) Initiative. This supplement is a collaborative effort between Population Services International (PSI), the World Health Organization, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and other members of the STAR Consortium. It presents significant achievements and insights gained from the introduction, scale-up, and optimization of self-testing.

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]]> Costs of Distributing HIV Self-Testing Kits in Eswatini Through Community and Workplace Models https://www.psi.org/star_publication/costs-of-distributing-hiv-self-testing-kits-in-eswatini-through-community-and-workplace-models/ Mon, 13 May 2024 03:34:20 +0000 https://www.psi.org/?post_type=star_publication&p=61787 This study evaluates the implementation and running costs of an HIV self-testing (HIVST) distribution program in Eswatini. HIVST kits were delivered through community-based and workplace models using primary and secondary distribution. Primary clients could self-test onsite or offsite. This study presents total running economic costs of kit distribution per model between April 2019 and March […]

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This study evaluates the implementation and running costs of an HIV self-testing (HIVST) distribution program in Eswatini. HIVST kits were delivered through community-based and workplace models using primary and secondary distribution. Primary clients could self-test onsite or offsite. This study presents total running economic costs of kit distribution per model between April 2019 and March 2020, and estimates average cost per HIVST kit distributed, per client self-tested, per client self-tested reactive, per client confirmed positive, and per client initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART).

This paper is part of a series of articles from BMC Infectious Diseases Volume 22 Supplement 1: Innovating with HIV self-testing for impact in Southern Africa: Lessons learned from the STAR (Self-Testing AfRica) Initiative. This supplement is a collaborative effort between Population Services International (PSI), the World Health Organization, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and other members of the STAR Consortium. It presents significant achievements and insights gained from the introduction, scale-up, and optimization of self-testing.

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]]> Can HIV Self-Testing Reach First-Time Testers? A Telephone Survey Among Self-Test End Users in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal https://www.psi.org/star_publication/can-hiv-self-testing-reach-first-time-testers-a-telephone-survey-among-self-test-end-users-in-cote-divoire-mali-and-senegal/ Mon, 13 May 2024 03:28:17 +0000 https://www.psi.org/?post_type=star_publication&p=61784 Coverage of HIV testing remains sub-optimal in West Africa. Between 2019 and 2022, the ATLAS program distributed ~400 000 oral HIV self-tests (HIVST) in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal, prioritising female sex workers (FSW) and men having sex with men (MSM), and relying on secondary redistribution of HIVST to partners, peers and clients to reach […]

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Coverage of HIV testing remains sub-optimal in West Africa. Between 2019 and 2022, the ATLAS program distributed ~400 000 oral HIV self-tests (HIVST) in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal, prioritising female sex workers (FSW) and men having sex with men (MSM), and relying on secondary redistribution of HIVST to partners, peers and clients to reach individuals not tested through conventional testing. This study assesses the proportion of first-time testers among HIVST users and the associated factors.

This paper is part of a series of articles from BMC Infectious Diseases Volume 22 Supplement 1: Innovating with HIV self-testing for impact in Southern Africa: Lessons learned from the STAR (Self-Testing AfRica) Initiative. This supplement is a collaborative effort between Population Services International (PSI), the World Health Organization, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and other members of the STAR Consortium. It presents significant achievements and insights gained from the introduction, scale-up, and optimization of self-testing.

The post Can HIV Self-Testing Reach First-Time Testers? A Telephone Survey Among Self-Test End Users in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal first appeared on PSI.

]]> Secondary Distribution of HIV Self-Test Kits by HIV Index and Antenatal Care Clients: Implementation and Costing Results from the STAR Initiative in South Africa https://www.psi.org/star_publication/secondary-distribution-of-hiv-self-test-kits-by-hiv-index-and-antenatal-care-clients-implementation-and-costing-results-from-the-star-initiative-in-south-africa/ Mon, 13 May 2024 03:23:06 +0000 https://www.psi.org/?post_type=star_publication&p=61781 Partner-delivered HIV self-testing kits has previously been highlighted as a safe, acceptable and effective approach to reach men. However, less is known about its real-world implementation in reaching partners of people living with HIV. We evaluated programmatic implementation of partner-delivered self-testing through antenatal care (ANC) attendees and people newly diagnosed with HIV by assessing use, […]

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Partner-delivered HIV self-testing kits has previously been highlighted as a safe, acceptable and effective approach to reach men. However, less is known about its real-world implementation in reaching partners of people living with HIV. We evaluated programmatic implementation of partner-delivered self-testing through antenatal care (ANC) attendees and people newly diagnosed with HIV by assessing use, positivity, linkage and cost per kit distributed.

This paper is part of a series of articles from BMC Infectious Diseases Volume 22 Supplement 1: Innovating with HIV self-testing for impact in Southern Africa: Lessons learned from the STAR (Self-Testing AfRica) Initiative. This supplement is a collaborative effort between Population Services International (PSI), the World Health Organization, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and other members of the STAR Consortium. It presents significant achievements and insights gained from the introduction, scale-up, and optimization of self-testing.

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]]> “I take it and give it to my partners who will give it to their partners”: Secondary Distribution of HIV Self-Tests by Key Populations in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal https://www.psi.org/star_publication/i-take-it-and-give-it-to-my-partners-who-will-give-it-to-their-partners-secondary-distribution-of-hiv-self-tests-by-key-populations-in-cote-divoire-mali-and-senegal/ Mon, 13 May 2024 03:18:03 +0000 https://www.psi.org/?post_type=star_publication&p=61778 HIV epidemics in Western and Central Africa (WCA) remain concentrated among key populations, who are often unaware of their status. HIV self-testing (HIVST) and its secondary distribution among key populations, and their partners and relatives, could reduce gaps in diagnosis coverage. We aimed to document and understand secondary HIVST distribution practices by men who have […]

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HIV epidemics in Western and Central Africa (WCA) remain concentrated among key populations, who are often unaware of their status. HIV self-testing (HIVST) and its secondary distribution among key populations, and their partners and relatives, could reduce gaps in diagnosis coverage. We aimed to document and understand secondary HIVST distribution practices by men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), people who use drugs (PWUD); and the use of HIVST by their networks in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal.

This paper is part of a series of articles from BMC Infectious Diseases Volume 22 Supplement 1: Innovating with HIV self-testing for impact in Southern Africa: Lessons learned from the STAR (Self-Testing AfRica) Initiative. This supplement is a collaborative effort between Population Services International (PSI), the World Health Organization, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and other members of the STAR Consortium. It presents significant achievements and insights gained from the introduction, scale-up, and optimization of self-testing.

The post “I take it and give it to my partners who will give it to their partners”: Secondary Distribution of HIV Self-Tests by Key Populations in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal first appeared on PSI.

]]> Lessons Learned from Implementation of Four HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) Distribution Models in Zambia: Applying the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to Understand Impact of Contextual Factors on Implementation https://www.psi.org/star_publication/lessons-learned-from-implementation-of-four-hiv-self-testing-hivst-distribution-models-in-zambia-applying-the-consolidated-framework-for-implementation-research-to-understand-impact-of-contextual-fact/ Mon, 13 May 2024 03:12:00 +0000 https://www.psi.org/?post_type=star_publication&p=61775 Although Zambia has integrated HIV-self-testing (HIVST) into its Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) regulatory frameworks, few best practices to optimize the use of HIV self-testing to increase testing coverage have been documented. We conducted a prospective case study to understand contextual factors guiding implementation of four HIVST distribution models to inform scale-up in Zambia. This paper […]

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Although Zambia has integrated HIV-self-testing (HIVST) into its Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) regulatory frameworks, few best practices to optimize the use of HIV self-testing to increase testing coverage have been documented. We conducted a prospective case study to understand contextual factors guiding implementation of four HIVST distribution models to inform scale-up in Zambia.

This paper is part of a series of articles from BMC Infectious Diseases Volume 22 Supplement 1: Innovating with HIV self-testing for impact in Southern Africa: Lessons learned from the STAR (Self-Testing AfRica) Initiative. This supplement is a collaborative effort between Population Services International (PSI), the World Health Organization, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and other members of the STAR Consortium. It presents significant achievements and insights gained from the introduction, scale-up, and optimization of self-testing.

The post Lessons Learned from Implementation of Four HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) Distribution Models in Zambia: Applying the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to Understand Impact of Contextual Factors on Implementation first appeared on PSI.

]]> Organisation of Testing Services, Structural Barriers and Facilitators of Routine HIV Self-Testing During Sexually Transmitted Infection Consultations: A Qualitative Study of Patients and Providers in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire https://www.psi.org/star_publication/organisation-of-testing-services-structural-barriers-and-facilitators-of-routine-hiv-self-testing-during-sexually-transmitted-infection-consultations-a-qualitative-study-of-patients-and-providers-in-a/ Mon, 13 May 2024 03:07:03 +0000 https://www.psi.org/?post_type=star_publication&p=61772 Consultations for sexually transmitted infection (STI) provide an opportunity to offer HIV testing to both patients and their partners. This study describes the organisation of HIV self-testing (HIVST) distribution during STI consultations in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) and analyse the perceived barriers and facilitators associated with the use and redistribution of HIVST kits by STI patients. […]

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Consultations for sexually transmitted infection (STI) provide an opportunity to offer HIV testing to both patients and their partners. This study describes the organisation of HIV self-testing (HIVST) distribution during STI consultations in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) and analyse the perceived barriers and facilitators associated with the use and redistribution of HIVST kits by STI patients.

This paper is part of a series of articles from BMC Infectious Diseases Volume 22 Supplement 1: Innovating with HIV self-testing for impact in Southern Africa: Lessons learned from the STAR (Self-Testing AfRica) Initiative. This supplement is a collaborative effort between Population Services International (PSI), the World Health Organization, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and other members of the STAR Consortium. It presents significant achievements and insights gained from the introduction, scale-up, and optimization of self-testing.

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]]> Do Community Measures Impact the Effectiveness of a Community Led HIV Testing Intervention. Secondary Analysis of an HIV Self-Testing Intervention in Rural Communities in Zimbabwe https://www.psi.org/star_publication/do-community-measures-impact-the-effectiveness-of-a-community-led-hiv-testing-intervention-secondary-analysis-of-an-hiv-self-testing-intervention-in-rural-communities-in-zimbabwe/ Mon, 13 May 2024 03:00:24 +0000 https://www.psi.org/?post_type=star_publication&p=61769 There is a growing body of evidence for the role that communities can have in producing beneficial health outcomes. There is also an increasing recognition of the effectiveness and success of community-led interventions to promote public health efforts. This study investigated whether and how community-level measures facilitate a community-led intervention to achieve improved HIV outcomes. […]

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There is a growing body of evidence for the role that communities can have in producing beneficial health outcomes. There is also an increasing recognition of the effectiveness and success of community-led interventions to promote public health efforts. This study investigated whether and how community-level measures facilitate a community-led intervention to achieve improved HIV outcomes.

This paper is part of a series of articles from BMC Infectious Diseases Volume 22 Supplement 1: Innovating with HIV self-testing for impact in Southern Africa: Lessons learned from the STAR (Self-Testing AfRica) Initiative. This supplement is a collaborative effort between Population Services International (PSI), the World Health Organization, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and other members of the STAR Consortium. It presents significant achievements and insights gained from the introduction, scale-up, and optimization of self-testing.

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