HIV Self-Test Kits in Barber Shops: Cote d’Ivoire

This case study describes a pilot project in Cote d’Ivoire which promotes HIV self-testing via barbershops. Preliminary human-centered-based research resulted in a finding that barbershops were a key gathering point for men in Côte D’Ivoire. The HIV self testing promotions were also communicated via religious leaders and social media.

The aim was to convince men to undertake an online self-assessment tool that helps to determine their level of risk for contracting HIV. Those who are assessed as high risk were offered a self-testing kit. The kit can be accessed in a variety of ways, through a local pharmacy or health center or delivered by a peer navigator who can answer any questions and walk them though the process.

Deployed by local NGOs, peer navigators were trained to provide psychological and social support before, during and after HIV testing and the initiation of treatment. There were also tools to support men through the process of taking the test, including written instructions, online videos, and access to an HIV hotline, where workers were trained in how to take a self-test, interpret the results and support men who receive a positive result into beginning treatment.

Source: ThinkPlace

Date of Publication: March 25, 2019