Enablers and barriers to effective HIV self-testing in the private sector among sexually active youths in Nigeria: A qualitative study using journey map methodology.

BACKGROUND: HIV is a public health burden in Nigeria. HIV self-testing is one of the approaches to testing, which is the first of the 95:95:95 cascade of a coherent response to the epidemic. The ability to self-test HIV is influenced by various factors that can either serve as enablers or barriers. Exploring these enablers and barriers to the uptake of HIVST will help achieve optimal HIV self-testing and provide a deeper understanding of the HIVST kits users' journey. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to identify enablers and barriers to the uptake of HIV self-testing among sexually active youth in Nigeria using journey map methodology. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative exploratory study between January 2021 to October 2021 to understand the journey map for taking up and using HIVST in the private health delivery systems which include the pharmacies and PPMVs. 80 youths in Lagos, Anambra and Kano states were interviewed using IDIs and in-person FGDs. Their responses were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed using a qualitative software package (Nvivo software). RESULTS: A journey map for taking up and effectively using HIVST using the private sector among sexually active youths using key enablers and barriers at the attract, purchase, use, confirmation, linkage, and reporting stage was developed. The major enablers among participants were privacy and confidentiality, bundling purchases with other health products, easy-to-use instructions, and past experience with other self-testing kits. The major barriers were fear of discrimination, big packaging, high price, lack of confidence from user error and fear of status disclosure. CONCLUSIONS: Sexually active young people's perspectives enhance our understanding of the barriers and enablers of using HIVST through the private sector. Optimizing the enablers such as improved confidentiality that may be seen in e-pharmacy, reducing barriers and factoring sexually young people's perspectives will enhance the market and the uptake of HIVST towards ensuring sustainability and accelerating progress towards the 95-95-95 targets.

Stakeholders' perception of a total market approach to HIV self-testing (HIVST) for the private sector in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The continuous supply of affordable and quality HIV self-test (HIVST) is a key pillar toward achieving the global HIV 95-95-95 target in Nigeria. This was a descriptive qualitative study that explored private sector stakeholders' perceptions of the enablers and barriers of the HIVST market in Nigeria. METHODS: A total of 29 In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with HIVST supply chain stakeholders and private sector providers (PPMVs and Community Pharmacies). Responses were analyzed using Nvivo software and we systematically developed a total market approach analysis for supply chain stakeholders and archetypes for community Pharmacies and PPMVs based on insights gathered from their journey map. RESULTS: Challenges to the supply side dynamics include forecasting, point of care service delivery, the availability of free and subsidized HIVST kits in the market, neglect of private sector providers (Community Pharmacists and PPMVs) in the healthcare delivery system, limited demand for HIVST, and regulatory bottlenecks influences the overall market dynamics. High cost of the HIVST kit, which triggers low availability, accessibility and affordability from the demand side, depicts the need to understand the market dynamics. Addressing the barriers and optimizing the enablers of the three-model pharmacist and PPMV's will change the market dynamic and service delivery to generate demand. CONCLUSION: To address challenges which already exist, the government need to revise the process guidelines for introducing new HIVST products in the Nigerian market, developing contingency plans to ensure the supply of HIVST remains sufficient when experiencing economic shocks, and create a sustainable roadmap toward optimizing the market for HIVST kits.