@article{fdi:010097080,
  title = {{S}caling up {HIV} self-testing in {A}frica : insights from national programmatic data in eight countries},
  author = {{A}llorant, {A}. and {B}ekelynck, {A}. and {M}onroe-{W}ise, {A}. and da {S}ilva, {C}. {B}. and {C}hidarikire, {T}. and {E}dun, {O}. and {J}oaquim, {L}. and {K}isia, {C}. and {L}armarange, {J}oseph and {L}yimo, {J}. {J}. and {J}ames, {J}. {M}. and {M}usanhu, {C}. and {N}cube, {G}. and {S}athane, {I}. and {S}imo-{F}otso, {A}. and {T}aasi, {G}. and {J}ohnson, {C}. {C}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{I}ntroduction: {E}vidence from routine, national programme data on {HIV} self-testing ({HIVST}) scale-up is limited. {T}his study examines {HIVST} scale-up in eight {A}frican countries, describing how {HIVST} has been integrated into testing strategies and how testing coverage, test positivity, and linkage to antiretroviral therapy ({ART}) have evolved. {M}ethods: {W}e conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis of national programme data from {J}anuary 2019 to {D}ecember 2023 across {K}enya, {L}esotho, {M}alawi, {M}ozambique, {S}outh {A}frica, {T}anzania, {U}ganda and {Z}imbabwe. {D}ata were disaggregated by quarter and subnational district. {I}ndicators included {HIVST} kits distributed, conventional testing volumes, new {HIV} diagnoses and new {ART} initiations. {W}e derived testing rates, testing positivity, {ART} linkage, and stability of {HIVST} distribution by district and over time. {R}esults: {HIVST} scale-up varied across countries. {B}y the most recent quarter, {HIVST} accounted for 63% of total testing in {L}esotho, 19%-25% in {M}alawi and {Z}imbabwe, but <15% in {K}enya, {T}anzania, {U}ganda and {S}outh {A}frica. {I}n {M}alawi, {L}esotho and {Z}imbabwe, large volumes of {HIVST} partially offset declines in conventional testing during the {COVID}-19 pandemic. {HIVST} remained modest (<15% of total tests) in {K}enya and {T}anzania. {I}n {M}ozambique, both conventional testing and {HIVST} expanded. {I}n {S}outh {A}frica, conventional testing remained high after {COVID}-19, while {HIVST} expanded slowly. {D}espite divergent trajectories, new {HIV} diagnoses and {ART} initiations remained stable in most settings, indicating programmes adapted to maintain case-finding even as testing volumes shifted. {C}onclusions: {T}his descriptive analysis shows {HIVST} has been scaled to different degrees, with its contribution to overall testing shaped by national contexts, and distribution models. {I}nterpretation is constrained by incomplete reporting, the inability to identify kits used out of kits distributed and distinguishing first-time from repeat testers. {T}hese findings can guide optimizing {HIV} testing services, an essential step towards meeting global {HIV} targets and ending {AIDS} by 2030.},
  keywords = {diagnosis ; {HIV}/{AIDS} ; {HIV} testing ; linkage to treatment ; routine data ; self-test ; {KENYA} ; {LESOTHO} ; {MALAWI} ; {AFRIQUE} {DU} {SUD} ; {MOZAMBIQUE} ; {TANZANIE} ; {OUGANDA} ; {ZIMBABWE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of the {I}nternational {AIDS} {S}ociety},
  volume = {29},
  numero = {5},
  pages = {e70120 [11 p.]},
  year = {2026},
  DOI = {10.1002/jia2.70120},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010097080},
}