Provision of oral HIVST kits triples uptake of HIV testing among male partners of antenatal care clients: results of a randomized trial in Kenya

Methodology

In a three-arm randomized controlled study in 14 antenatal care sites in Eastern and Central Kenya, consenting women at first antenatal care (ANC) were randomized to either: group 1 receiving standard-of-care; group 2 receiving a card stating the importance of male HIV testing in prevention of mother-to-child-transmission; or group 3 whose participants received the same card plus two oral fluid-based test kits with instructions for testing with the partner at home (unassisted and unobserved by research team). Consenting women completed a baseline questionnaire and endline questionnaire after three months. Consenting male partners were surveyed three months after enrolling ANC clients. The primary outcome was male partner HIV testing, by any means, within three months after ANC client enrollment.

Summary of findings

1410 women were randomized. At the time of analysis, 756 had been followed up and 669 men responded to the survey (623 couples). Baseline characteristics of the men in three study groups did not differ, (p>0.05). Of the 669 men surveyed, in group 3, 83% of men reported having taken a HIV test, compared to 28% in group 1 and 36% in group 2 (p-value< 0.001) (overall 48%, n=326). Most men testing for HIV indicated testing together with their partner regardless of the study group. information that was corroborated by the female partners. Of the men using HIV self-test kits, over 90% reported it was very easy to take a swab and read the test results.

Accuracy details

n/a

Social harm

n/a

Linkage to prevention, care and treatment

72% of the male partners testing at home reported that they went for a confirmatory test at the health facility

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