A retrospective analysis to review access of HIV self-testing during SARS-CoV-2 lockdown in Eswatini community settings, Eswatini: quantitative methods study

ABSTRACT

The HIV self-testing (HIVST) program was introduced to reach people living with HIV who are still undiagnosed and also to ensure that HIV-negative individuals get access to effective HIV prevention services. HIV self-testing offers a discreet and convenient way to test, with the potential to reach individuals in need of HIV testing services but who may not otherwise test. The purpose of this study was to uncover access to HIVST during the first SARS-COV-2 lockdown period in 2020. This was a cross-sectional design approach that applied the RE-AIM framework principle. The study used historical data from the four regions in Eswatini (Shiselweni, Manzini, Lubombo, and Hhohho). These regions were selected based on ensuring adequate coverage and representativeness. Data were analysed using bivariate logistic regression analysis in Stata15 to assess the association between categorical variables, and the level of significance was set at a P-value less than 0.05. The results showed a total of 6158 clients were reached with HIVST kits. A total of 3031 (50%) were females, and 3127(51%) were males, and more outcomes were based on risk profiles and age. It is concluded that HIVST is one key strategy in reaching males who ordinarily lag when it comes to HIV testing services in Eswatini. These results show that access to HIV self-testing during the lockdown period in Eswatini illustrated positive advances as it reached the most at-risk population groups and has a potential for extended sustained use to benefit specific high-HIV-risk population groups.