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Feasibility use of HIVST and sharing of test kits with others was assessed in these women at a study visit four months later. Two hundred FSW were screened. One participant did not test herself but shared both her test kits. HIV infection remains a major public health challenge, particularly in the sub-Saharan region [ 1 , 2 ]. Heterosexual contact is the main mode of transmission in the region [ 3 ], with sex work a significant contributor [ 4 ]. Female sex workers are a key population for HIV because of their increased vulnerability to infection [ 4 , 5 ].
Various HIV prevention strategies need to be employed in order to reach these key populations [ 6 ]. HIV self-testing among these women at increased vulnerability for both HIV and for marginalization may be an important element of HIV prevention and engagement in care [ 2 , 3 , 20 , 21 ].
HIV self-testing is generally perceived to be convenient, reducing some of the known barriers to HIV testing among marginalized key populations [ 22 β 24 ]. Stigma and fear of discrimination by healthcare providers represent some of the previously identified barriers [ 23 , 25 ]. HIV self-testing has not only been shown to be safe but to also increase frequency of testing among some key populations including FSW [ 19 , 26 ].
Individual HIV self-testing, coupled with secondary distribution of HIV self-test kits, have been shown to be effective HIV prevention strategies in some hard to reach populations in sub-Saharan Africa [ 29 β 34 ].
