WEBINAR: Optimizing HIV Services Through Self-Testing

Posted July 2, 2021
Impact Area HIV & TB, HIVST

The HIV Self-Testing Africa (STAR) Initiative is a Unitaid-funded project, led by Population Services International (PSI), to catalyze the global market for HIV self-testing (HIVST), generate evidence for decision-making and create an enabling environment for HIVST scale-up.

On Thursday, July 8, the World Health Organization, Global Fund, Unitaid, the HIV Self-Testing Africa (STAR) Initiative and the ATLAS Project hosted a webinar with updates on HIV Self-Testing global scale up.

The session covered:

Technical updates on HIVST products, research and implementation
Dissemination of best practice, solutions and experiences gained from HIV Self-Testing implementation using WHO prequalified test-kits, oral fluid and blood-based products, monitoring and scale up from several countries and partners in Africa and Asia
Overview of HIV Self-Testing market, price and market intelligence
HIV Self-Testing global funding and Investments

The session was moderated by Rachel Baggaley, World Health Organization (WHO), and Aayush Solanki, Population Services International. Presentations and panelists included:

WHO policy and technical guidance updates on HIVST
- Cheryl Johnson, WHO
Critical steps for HIVST implementation and lessons learned from the STAR Initiative and ATLAS Project
- Karin Hatzold, Population Services International
Overview of WHO pre-qualified HIV Self-Testing kits, oral fluid and blood-based RDTs, and technical specifications
- Mohammed Majam, Ezintsha, South Africa
Experiences from HIVST implementation in Asia
- Kim Green, PATH, Vietnam
Experiences from national HIVST program in South Africa
- Thato Chidarikire, National Department of Health, South Africa
Experiences with blood-based HIVST in Uganda
- Geoffrey Taasi, Ministry of Health, Uganda
Global Fund Investments in HIVST
- Obinna Onyekwena, Global Fund
HIVST market and Unitaid Market Accelerator
- Kehinde Onasanya, Unitaid

We invite you to download the slides and view the presentations below.

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L’initiative HIV Self-Testing Africa (STAR) est un projet financé par Unitaid, mené par Population Services International (PSI), pour catalyser le marché mondial de l’auto-dépistage du VIH (ADVIH), générer des preuves pour la prise de décisions, et créer un environnement favorable à la mise à l’échelle de l’ADVIH.

Rejoignez-nous pour ce séminaire en ligne organisé par l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé, le Fond mondial, Unitaid, l’Initiative HIV Self-Testing Africa (STAR), et le Projet ATLAS sur l’impact et la mise à l’échelle mondiale de l’autotest du VIH.

La session passera en revue :

Les mises à jour techniques des produits d’ADVIH et de leur usage, recherche, et mise en oeuvre ;
Diffusion des bonnes pratiques, des solutions et expériences tirées de la mise en oeuvre de l’ADVIH utilisant les kits de dépistage sanguins ou oraux pré-qualifiés par l’OMS, du suivi et de la mise à l’échelle par de nombreux pays et partenaires en Afrique et en Asie ;
Aperçu du marché de l’ADVIH, prix et connaissance du marché ;
Financements et investissements mondiaux de l’ADVIH.

La session sera animée par Rachel Baggaley, de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS) et Aayush Solanki, Population Services International. Parmi les présentations et les intervenants :

Mises à jour politiques et des orientations techniques sur l’ADVIH.
- Cheryl Johnson, OMS
Étapes cruciales à la mise en œuvre de l’ADVIH et enseignements tirés de l’Initiative STAR et du Projet ATLAS.
- Karin Hatzold, Population Services International
Aperçu des kits ADVIH pré-qualifiés par l’OMS, tests diagnostiques rapides sanguins ou oraux, et spécifications techniques.
- Mohammed Majam, Ezintsha, South Africa
Expériences de la mise en œuvre de l’ADVIH en Asie.
- Kim Green, PATH, Vietnam
Expériences du programme national d’ADVIH en Afrique du Sud.
- Thato Chidarikire, Département National de la Santé, Afrique du Sud
Expériences de l’ADVIH sanguin en Ouganda.
- Geoffrey Taasi, Ministère de la Santé, Ouganda
Investissements du Fond mondial dans l’ADVIH.
- Obinna Onyekwena, Fond mondial
Marché de l’ADVIH et accélérateur de marché d’Unitaid.
- Kehinde Onasanya, Unitaid

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Digitalizing contraceptive counseling to reach rural women and girls in Ethiopia

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In rural Ethiopia, women and girls often face significant barriers in accessing healthcare facilities, which can be located hours away. Moreover, there is a prevailing stigma surrounding the use of contraception, with concerns about potential infertility or the perception of promiscuity. To address these challenges, the Smart Start initiative has emerged, linking financial well-being with family planning through clear and relatable messaging that addresses the immediate needs of young couples—planning for the lives and families they envision. Smart Start takes a community-based approach, utilizing a network of dedicated Navigators who engage with women in their localities. These Navigators provide counseling and refer interested clients to Health Extension Workers or healthcare providers within Marie Stopes International-operated clinics for comprehensive contraceptive counseling and services.

In a significant development, PSI Ethiopia has digitized the proven counseling messaging of Smart Start, expanding its reach to more adolescent girls, young women, and couples. This approach aligns with the priorities set by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MOH) and is made possible through funding from Global Affairs Canada. The interactive and engaging digital messaging has revolutionized counseling services, enabling clients to make informed and confident decisions regarding both their finances and contraceptive choices.

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In 2022, 328 thousand malaria cases were recorded by CHWs); 6.5 thousand severe malaria cases were referred to health centers, according to the national health information system.

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Supervisors directly observed how CHWs performed malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and administered artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). They recorded CHW performance using the digitized checklist, interviewed community members, reviewed records, and provided on-the-spot coaching. They also interviewed the CHWs and tried to resolve challenges they expressed, including with resupply of commodities or equipment immediately or soon afterwards.

Beyond the observed interactions with patients, supervisors heard from community members that they were pleased that CHWs were able to provide essential malaria services in the community. And the data shows the impact.

In IM-supported areas of Mali, 36% of CHWs in the first round were competent in performing the RDT, which rose to 53% in the second. 24% of CHWs in the first round compared to 38% in the second were competent in the treatment of fever cases and pre-referral counseling. Between both rounds, availability of ACT increased from 80 percent to 90 percent.

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Seven years ago, the landscape of HIV self-testing lacked global guidelines, and only the U.S., the UK and France had policies in place that allowed for HIV self-testing. High disease burdened countries in low-and-middle-income-countries (LMICs) lacked evidence and guidance for HIVST despite major gaps in HIV diagnosis.

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WEBINAR: Optimizing HIV Services Through Self-Testing

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Digitalizing contraceptive counseling to reach rural women and girls in Ethiopia

Building community health worker capacity to deliver malaria care

Taking a market-based approach to scale sanitation in Ethiopia

Promoting self-managed care like Self-testing and Self-Sampling

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