What determines HIV self-test acceptability and uptake within the MSM community in Nairobi and its environs? A cross sectional study

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Abstract Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus self-test (HIVST) refers to a process where a person collects his or her own specimen (blood or oral), performs a test and interprets the results. The interpretation of results can either be done in private or through support of a trusted partner. Self-test should be seen as screening and confirmatory test should be sort.Study ObjectiveTo determine facilitating factors for HIVST acceptability and uptake among MSM community.Methods: The researcher employed a cross-sectional exploratory study design, targeting men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nairobi. Adult men (aged 18-60 years) that reported to be actively engaging in anal or oral sex with men were eligible for the study. The researcher used purposive sampling to identify the sites where data was collected, snowballing technique was then employed to reach the respondents. Data was collected between July 2018-June 2019. A total of 391 MSM respondent were recruited to fill the self-administered questionnaires, 369 MSM completed the questionnaires (response rate = 94%). Results: There was a significant association between self-test and frequency of testing for HIV/AIDS at P-Value of 0.011. The respondents who had a positive result from the previous test were 16% and 80% of the respondents would seek confirmatory test, if tested HIV positive through HIVST. There was also a significant association between respondents who had never tested using self-test kits and the need for a testing “buddy” with a P- Value of 0.014. Fifty nine percent of the respondents would prefer blood sample test kits. High cost of the self-test kits and inadequate knowledge on the use of HIV self-test kits were the main hindrances to HIVST uptake.Conclusions: A significant number of MSM community in Kenya are willing to use HIVST and are likely to seek for care within 30 days and this is a good indicator of linkage. Blood sample kits are more preferred. Key facilitating factors for HIVST uptake include; awareness creation on HIVST, training on usage of kits, emphasis on testing ‘buddy” for first time testers and reduction on cost of the kits.

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