{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Preferences and uptake of home-based HIV self-testing for maternal retesting in Kenya.
{Author}: Drake AL;Jiang W;Kitao P;Farid S;Richardson BA;Katz DA;Wagner AD;Johnson CC;Matemo D;Stewart G;Kinuthia J;
{Journal}: PLoS One
{Volume}: 19
{Issue}: 8
{Year}: 2024
{Factor}: 3.752
{DOI}: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302077
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To compare preferences, uptake, and cofactors for unassisted home-based oral self-testing (HB-HIVST) versus clinic-based rapid diagnostic blood tests (CB-RDT) for maternal HIV retesting.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Prospective cohort.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Between November 2017 and June 2019, HIV-negative pregnant Kenyan women receiving antenatal care were enrolled and given a choice to retest with HB-HIVST or CB-RDT. Women were asked to retest between 36 weeks gestation and 1-week post-delivery if the last HIV test was <24 weeks gestation or at 6 weeks postpartum if ≥24 weeks gestation, and self-report on retesting at a 14-week postpartum.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Overall, 994 women enrolled and 33% (n = 330) selected HB-HIVST. HB-HIVST was selected because it was private (n = 224, 68%), convenient (n = 211, 63%), and offered flexibility in the timing of retesting (n = 207, 63%), whereas CB-RDT was selected due to the trust of providers to administer the test (n = 510, 77%) and convenience of clinic testing (n = 423, 64%). Among 905 women who reported retesting at follow-up, 135 (15%) used HB-HIVST. Most (n = 595, 94%) who selected CB-RDT retested with this strategy, compared to 39% (n = 120) who selected HB-HIVST retesting with HB-HIVST. HB-HIVST retesting was more common among women with higher household income and those who may have been unable to test during pregnancy (both retested postpartum and delivered <37 weeks gestation) and less common among women who were depressed. Most women said they would retest in the future using the test selected at enrollment (99% [n = 133] HB-HIVST; 93% [n = 715] CB-RDT-RDT).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>While most women preferred CB-RDT for maternal retesting, HB-HIVST was acceptable and feasible and could be used to expand HIV retesting options.