OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the feasibility, acceptability and cost of home-based HIV testing and to examine the applicability of the model to high HIV prevalence settings. METHODS: Quantitative, qualitative and cost data were collected during a home-based HIV testing program in a high-prevalence rural area of Kenya; data on age, gender and marital status along with HIV test results were collected. This was complemented with qualitative research including key informant interviews with counselors and program managers to highlight experiences and challenges. Direct costs of the interventions were estimated through the review of budgets and monthly expenditure sheets. RESULTS: Of 3180 15-49-year olds exposed to a community awareness campaign, 2033 (63.9%) agreed to be visited by counselors, of whom 1984 (97.6%) agreed to be tested and receive the results. Adult HIV prevalence was 8.2% and married women were 4.8 times more likely to be HIV-positive than those never married. Counselors reported feeling welcomed and noted the enthusiasm of the community towards testing. The total cost of the exercise was $17,569. The program cost was $2.60 for each of the 6750 community members, $5.88 for each person tested, and $84 per positive case detected. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that home-based HIV testing is feasible with high uptake, and has the potential to substantially expand access to HIV testing services. There is a strong economic case for the extension of such a screening program to other communities.
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the feasibility, acceptability and cost of home-based HIV testing and to examine the applicability of the model to high HIV prevalence settings. METHODS: Quantitative, qualitative and cost data were collected during a home-based HIV testing program in a high-prevalence rural area of Kenya; data on age, gender and marital status along with HIV test results were collected. This was complemented with qualitative research including key informant interviews with counselors and program managers to highlight experiences and challenges. Direct costs of the interventions were estimated through the review of budgets and monthly expenditure sheets. RESULTS: Of 3180 15-49-year olds exposed to a community awareness campaign, 2033 (63.9%) agreed to be visited by counselors, of whom 1984 (97.6%) agreed to be tested and receive the results. Adult HIV prevalence was 8.2% and married women were 4.8 times more likely to be HIV-positive than those never married. Counselors reported feeling welcomed and noted the enthusiasm of the community towards testing. The total cost of the exercise was $17,569. The program cost was $2.60 for each of the 6750 community members, $5.88 for each person tested, and $84 per positive case detected. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that home-based HIV testing is feasible with high uptake, and has the potential to substantially expand access to HIV testing services. There is a strong economic case for the extension of such a screening program to other communities.
Authors: Anna M Molesworth; Richard Ndhlovu; Emmanuel Banda; Jacqueline Saul; Bagrey Ngwira; Judith R Glynn; Amelia C Crampin; Neil French Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2010-12-15 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: Nora E Rosenberg; Gift Kamanga; Audrey E Pettifor; Naomi Bonongwe; Clement Mapanje; Sarah E Rutstein; Michelle Ward; Irving F Hoffman; Francis Martinson; William C Miller Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2014-04-15 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: Wei Chang; Gabriel Chamie; Daniel Mwai; Tamara D Clark; Harsha Thirumurthy; Edwin D Charlebois; Maya Petersen; Jane Kabami; Emmanuel Ssemmondo; Kevin Kadede; Dalsone Kwarisiima; Norton Sang; Elizabeth A Bukusi; Craig R Cohen; Moses Kamya; Diane V Havlir; James G Kahn Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2016-11-01 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: Larry W Chang; David Serwadda; Thomas C Quinn; Maria J Wawer; Ronald H Gray; Steven J Reynolds Journal: Lancet Infect Dis Date: 2013-01 Impact factor: 25.071
Authors: Saeed Ahmed; Maria H Kim; Nandita Sugandhi; B Ryan Phelps; Rachael Sabelli; Mamadou O Diallo; Paul Young; Dana Duncan; Scott E Kellerman Journal: AIDS Date: 2013-11 Impact factor: 4.177