Simo Fotso Arlette auteur aut IRD Kouassi Arsène Kra auteur aut IRD Maheu-Giroux M. auteur aut IRD Boye Sokhna auteur aut IRD d'Elbee M. auteur aut IRD Ky-zerbo O. auteur aut IRD Rouveau Nicolas auteur aut IRD N'Guessan N. K. auteur aut IRD Geoffroy O. auteur aut IRD Vautier A. auteur aut IRD Larmarange Joseph auteur aut IRD ATLAS Team auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access Background Due to the discreet and private nature of HIV self-testing (HIVST), it is particularly challenging to monitor and assess the impacts of this testing strategy. To overcome this challenge, we conducted a study in Cote d'Ivoire to characterize the profile of end users of HIVST kits distributed through the ATLAS project (AutoTest VIH, Libre d'Acceder a la connaissance de son Statut). Feasibility was assessed using a pilot phone-based survey. Methods The ATLAS project aims to distribute 221300 HIVST kits in Cote d'Ivoire from 2019 to 2021 through both primary (e.g., direct distribution to primary users) and secondary distribution (e.g., for partner testing). The pilot survey used a passive recruitment strategy-whereby participants voluntarily called a toll-free survey phone number-to enrol participants. The survey was promoted through a sticker on the HIVST instruction leaflet and hotline invitations and informal promotion by HIVST kit-dispensing agents. Importantly, participation was not financially incentivized, even though surveys focussed on key populations usually use incentives in this context. Results After a 7-month period in which 25,000 HIVST kits were distributed, only 42 questionnaires were completed. Nevertheless, the survey collected data from users receiving HIVST kits via both primary and secondary distribution (69% and 31%, respectively). Conclusion This paper provides guidance on how to improve the design of future surveys of this type. It discusses the need to financial incentivize participation, to reorganize the questionnaire, the importance of better informing and training stakeholders involved in the distribution of HIVST, and the use of flyers to increase the enrolment of users reached through secondary distribution. specialized HIV AIDS HIV self-testing ATLAS project Key populations Men who have sex with men Female sex workers Drug users Secondary distribution Monitoring Telephone survey COTE D'IVOIRE 056 052 124 8 1 4 [7 ] 2022 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010083936 10.1186/s40814-021-00965-2 [F B010083936] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010083936 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2022-02/010083936.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2022-02-04 2025-02-24 fdi:010083936 fre