HIV-1 self-testing to improve the efficiency of pre-exposure prophylaxis delivery: a randomized trial in Kenya

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is safe and effective in postpartum women. HIV self-testing (HIVST) for partners combined with biofeedback counselling through real-time adherence measures may improve daily PrEP use among postpartum women. Methods: Between August 2020 and April 2021 we conducted a pilot study in one primary care clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. We randomized postpartum women who initiated PrEP in pregnancy 1:1 to the intervention group (HIVST + biofeedback counselling following urine tenofovir test) or to standard of care (facility-based HIV tests and routine counselling without biofeedback). The outcomes of interest were PrEP adherence in the past 48-72hours via urine tenofovir tests and partner HIV testing, measured 1-month after randomisation. Secondary outcomes included proportion of partners who tested for HIV and discrepancy between self-reported PrEP adherence and urine tenofovir result. Results: We enrolled 106 women (median age=26 years; median months postpartum=2). Almost half of women reported having sex since giving birth (48%); 76% of those reported condomless sex at last sex. At enrolment most women (72%) reported missing <2 doses in the past 7-days; 36% of women had tenofovir present in her urine (no significant differences by arm). One month after enrolment, 62% (n=33) of women in the intervention arm had tenofovir present in their urine compared to 34% (n=18) in the standard of care arm (RR=1.83; 95% CI=1.19, 2.82). Two-thirds of women in the intervention arm reported that her partner tested for HIV (66%; n=35); compared to 17% (n=9) in the standard of care arm (RR=3.89; 95% CI=2.08, 7.27). The proportion of women with a discrepant adherence result (self-reported good recent adherence with no tenofovir in urine test) was significantly lower in the intervention group (n=8; 17%) compared to the standard of care group (n=24; 46%) (RR=0.33; 95% CI=0.17, 0.67). No social or clinical adverse events were reported in the intervention arm. Conclusions: In this pilot study, HIVST for partners and biofeedback counseling increased levels of recent PrEP adherence, pointing to the importance of these interventions to support PrEP use in this population.

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Prevalence and Correlates of Pregnancy Self-Testing Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Western Kenya

10.21203/rs.3.rs-78174/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nina Njeri Nganga ◽

Julia Dettinger ◽

John Kinuthia ◽

Jared Baeten ◽

Grace John-Stewart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antenatal Care ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Future Research ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Western Kenya ◽

Self Testing ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis

Abstract In sub-Saharan Africa little is known about how often women use pregnancy self-tests or characteristics of these women despite evidence that pregnancy self-testing is associated with early antenatal care (ANC) attendance. Understanding the characteristics of women who use pregnancy self-tests may facilitate early access to ANC and preventive interventions in pregnancy. We conducted a cross-sectional survey on an ongoing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation study which enrolled pregnant women to determine the prevalence and factors associated with pregnancy self-testing among women in western Kenya. Overall in our study population, the prevalence of pregnancy self-testing was 22% and higher among women who were employed, currently in school, had previous pregnancy complications, received services from urban health facilities, and had partners who had at least attended secondary school. The most reported reasons for non-use of pregnancy self-tests included not thinking it was necessary, lack of knowledge, and lack of money to pay for the test. Future research should focus on understanding the knowledge and attitudes of women toward pregnancy self-testing.

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