Could routine pregnancy self-testing facilitate earlier recognition of unintended pregnancy? A feasibility study among South African women

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjsrh-2020-201017
Author(s):  
Deborah Constant ◽  
Sofia Lopes ◽  
Daniel Grossman
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
South African ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
African Women ◽  
Response Options ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
Late Recognition

IntroductionWe explored whether routine pregnancy self-testing is feasible and acceptable to women at risk of late recognition of pregnancy as a strategy to facilitate early entry into either antenatal or abortion care.MethodsA feasibility study among South African sexually active women not desiring pregnancy within 1 year, and not using long-acting or injectable contraceptives. At recruitment, we provided five free urine pregnancy tests for self-testing on the first day of each of the next 3 months. We sent monthly text reminders to use the tests with requests for no-cost text replies. Our main outcome was the proportion of participants self-testing within 5 days of the text reminder over three consecutive months. Other outcomes were ease of use of tests, preference for self-testing versus clinic testing, acceptability of routine self-testing (all binary responses followed by open response options) and response to text messages (four-point Likert scale).ResultsWe followed up 71/76 (93%) participants. Two confirmed new pregnancies at the first scheduled test and completed exit interviews, and 64/69 (93%) self-reported completing all three monthly tests. Self-testing was easy to do (66/71, 93%); advantages were convenience (21/71, 30%) and privacy (18/71, 25%), while the main disadvantage was no nurse present to advise (17/71, 24%). Most would recommend monthly testing (70/71, 99%). Text reminders were generally not bothersome (57/71, 80%); 35/69 (51%) participants replied with test results over all three months.ConclusionProviding free pregnancy tests to women at risk of late recognition of pregnancy is feasible to strengthen early confirmation of pregnancy status.

scholarly journals Transient association between semen exposure and biomarkers of genital inflammation in South African women at risk of HIV infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Jewanraj ◽  
Sinaye Ngcapu ◽  
Farzana Osman ◽  
Veron Ramsuran ◽  
Maryam Fish ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
South African ◽  
African Women ◽  
South African Women

scholarly journals HIV self-testing: South African young adults’ recommendations for ease of use, test kit contents, accessibility, and supportive resources

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiarney D. Ritchwood ◽  
Amanda Selin ◽  
Audrey Pettifor ◽  
Sheri A. Lippman ◽  
Hailey Gilmore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
South African ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Test Kit

HIV/AIDS: South African women at risk

2002 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Walker ◽  
L Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
South African ◽  
African Women ◽  
South African Women ◽  
Hiv Aids

PCR-based identification of eight lactobacillus species and 18 hr-HPV genotypes in fixed cervical samples of south african women at risk of HIV and BV

2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 472-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joke A.M. Dols ◽  
Gregor Reid ◽  
Remco Kort ◽  
Frank H.J. Schuren ◽  
Hugo Tempelman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
South African ◽  
African Women ◽  
Lactobacillus Species ◽  
Hpv Genotypes ◽  
South African Women

scholarly journals Potential Clinical and Economic Value of Long-Acting Preexposure Prophylaxis for South African Women at High-Risk for HIV Infection

2015 ◽  
Vol 213 (10) ◽  
pp. 1523-1531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rochelle P. Walensky ◽  
Margo M. Jacobsen ◽  
Linda-Gail Bekker ◽  
Robert A. Parker ◽  
Robin Wood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
South African ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
African Women ◽  
Preexposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
South African Women

scholarly journals Perceptions of an HIV self-testing intervention and its potential role in addressing the barriers to HIV testing among at-risk heterosexual men: a qualitative analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2020-054773
Author(s):  
Yi-Roe Tan ◽  
Nashwinder Kaur ◽  
Angeline Jiajun Ye ◽  
Yiwen Zhang ◽  
Jerald Xuan Zheng Lim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Linkage To Care ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Heterosexual Men ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Post Test

ObjectivesVoluntary HIV testing rates are still low in several Asian countries including Singapore. HIV self-testing (HIVST) has the potential to increase testing, leading to earlier diagnosis and better prognosis. However, the views of at-risk individuals, especially heterosexual men (HSM), who are not coming forward for testing are still poorly understood. In this study, we examined the barriers and facilitators to and delivery preferences for HIVST in order to implement an effective intervention in Singapore.MethodsFrom May 2017 to June 2018, 48 in-depth interviews were conducted with HSM aged 21–66 years and at risk of HIV infection. Participants were purposively sampled based on ethnicity, age and testing behaviour. Recruitment was done mainly at brothels and entertainment establishments in Singapore. Participants gave their views on HIV testing, factors affecting HIVST use and their preferred HIVST service delivery model.ResultsMost participants preferred HIVST over conventional testing for its convenience, privacy, anonymity and autonomy, but older men still preferred conventional testing. Low self-perceived risk, low awareness and self-efficacy for HIVST, and non-comprehensive test for other STIs were reported as barriers to HIVST. There were mixed opinions on kit preference. A blood-based kit was favoured for higher accuracy, while the oral-fluid-based kit was favoured for ease of use. Participants wanted a human touch for post-test counselling and linkage to care only if they self-tested positive. Traditional media, internet and social media, and venue-based outreach were potential advertising platforms mentioned.ConclusionsA locally acceptable and feasible HIVST intervention must address the barriers and facilitators of using HIVST in order to improve HIV testing rates among this at-risk population who might otherwise delay or fail to present for testing.

THE SINS OF THE FATHER: GENDER- BASED VIOLENCE IN POST-APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyn Snodgrass
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Black Women ◽  
South African ◽  
African Women ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender ◽  
South African Women

This article explores the complexities of gender-based violence in post-apartheid South Africa and interrogates the socio-political issues at the intersection of class, ‘race’ and gender, which impact South African women. Gender equality is up against a powerful enemy in societies with strong patriarchal traditions such as South Africa, where women of all ‘races’ and cultures have been oppressed, exploited and kept in positions of subservience for generations. In South Africa, where sexism and racism intersect, black women as a group have suffered the major brunt of this discrimination and are at the receiving end of extreme violence. South Africa’s gender-based violence is fuelled historically by the ideologies of apartheid (racism) and patriarchy (sexism), which are symbiotically premised on systemic humiliation that devalues and debases whole groups of people and renders them inferior. It is further argued that the current neo-patriarchal backlash in South Africa foments and sustains the subjugation of women and casts them as both victims and perpetuators of pervasive patriarchal values.

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