Rao Amrita, Patil Sandip, Aheibam Sharmila, Kshirsagar Prajkta, Hemade Pranoti, Panda Samiran
Indian Council of Medical Research-National AIDS Research Institute (ICMR-NARI), Pune, Maharashtra, India.
WHO Supported Acceptability Project of Indian Council of Medical Research-National AIDS Research Institute (ICMR-NARI), Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Infect Dis (Auckl). 2020 Oct 13;13:1178633720962809. doi: 10.1177/1178633720962809. eCollection 2020.
Globally HIV-self-test is considered as an important tool to end AIDS. However, several countries, including India, are yet to adopt such a strategy. Against this background, we conducted a qualitative inquiry exploring acceptability of an HIV-oral-self-test (HIVOST) among MSM and TG communities in the district of Pune, India. Discussions were facilitated around an HIVOST kit developed in-country. Most of the participants expressed familiarity with the concept of self-test. They realised that confirmatory diagnostic test would be required following a positive HIVOST screening result. Discrimination from health care workers, crowded environment, lack of privacy and delay in getting reports were hurdles faced during HIV testing at public healthcare facilities. Contrastingly, quick results, painless technique and no-blood-draw were perceived advantages of HIVOST. Innovative suggestions were obtained on how-to-do instruction modalities, kit distribution venues and redressing of apprehensions. Such qualitative responses indicated interest and encouraging level of acceptance around HIVOST among study participants.
在全球范围内，艾滋病毒自我检测被视为终结艾滋病的一项重要工具。然而，包括印度在内的几个国家尚未采用这样的策略。在此背景下，我们开展了一项定性调查，探讨印度浦那地区男男性行为者和变性人群体对艾滋病毒口腔自我检测（HIVOST）的接受程度。围绕在国内研发的一种HIVOST检测试剂盒展开了讨论。大多数参与者表示熟悉自我检测的概念。他们意识到，HIVOST筛查结果呈阳性后需要进行确诊诊断检测。在公共医疗机构进行艾滋病毒检测时，面临的障碍包括医护人员的歧视、环境拥挤、缺乏隐私以及获取检测报告的延迟。相比之下，HIVOST的优势在于检测结果快速、技术无痛且无需采血。就操作说明方式、试剂盒分发地点以及消除担忧等方面，我们获得了一些创新性建议。此类定性反馈表明，研究参与者对HIVOST表现出兴趣且接受程度令人鼓舞。
