Background: The ATLAS program promotes and implements HIVST in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal. Priority groups include members of key populations—female sex workers (FSW), men having sex with men (MSM), and people who use drugs (PWUD)—and their partners and relatives. HIVST distribution activities, which began in mid-2019, were impacted in early 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This article, focusing only on outreach activities among key populations, analyzes quantitative, and qualitative program data collected during implementation to examine temporal trends in HIVST distribution and their evolution in the context of the COVID-19 health crisis. Specifically, we investigated the impact on, the adaptation of and the disruption of field activities.Results: In all three countries, the pre-COVID-19 period was marked by a gradual increase in HIVST distribution. The period corresponding to the initial emergency response (March-May 2020) witnessed an important disruption of activities: a total suspension in Senegal, a significant decline in Côte d'Ivoire, and a less pronounced decrease in Mali. Secondary distribution was also negatively impacted. Peer educators showed resilience and adapted by relocating from public to private areas, reducing group sizes, moving night activities to the daytime, increasing the use of social networks, integrating hygiene measures, and promoting assisted HIVST as an alternative to conventional rapid testing. From June 2020 onward, with the routine management of the COVID-19 pandemic, a catch-up phenomenon was observed with the resumption of activities in Senegal, the opening of new distribution sites, a rebound in the number of distributed HIVST kits, a resurgence in larger group activities, and a rebound in the average number of distributed HIVST kits per primary contact.Conclusions: Although imperfect, the program data provide useful information to describe changes in the implementation of HIVST outreach activities over time. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIVST distribution among key populations was visible in the monthly activity reports. Focus groups and individual interviews allowed us to document the adaptations made by peer educators, with variations across countries and populations. These adaptations demonstrate the resilience and learning capacities of peer educators and key populations.

Objectives:We estimate the effects of ATLAS's HIVST kit distribution on conventional HIV testing, diagnoses, and antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiations in Côte d'Ivoire.Design: Ecological study using routinely collected HIV testing services program data.Methods: We used the ATLAS's programmatic data recorded between the third quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2021, in addition to data from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief dashboard. We performed ecological time series regression using linear mixed models. Results are presented per 1,000 HIVST kits distributed through ATLAS.Results: We found a negative but nonsignificant effect of the number of ATLAS' distributed HIVST kits on conventional testing uptake (-190 conventional tests; 95%CI: -427 to 37). The relationship between the number of HIVST kits and HIV diagnoses was significant and positive (+8 diagnosis; 95%CI: 0 to 15). No effect was observed on ART initiation (-2 ART initiations; 95%CI: -8 to 5).Conclusions: ATLAS' HIVST kit distribution had a positive impact on HIV diagnoses. Despite the negative signal on conventional testing, even if only 20% of distributed kits are used, HIVST would increase access to testing. The methodology used in this paper offers a promising way to leverage routinely collected programmatic data to estimate the effects of HIVST kit distribution in real-world programs.

Background: In West Africa, female sex workers are at increased risk of HIV acquisition and transmission. HIV self-testing could be an effective tool to improve access to and frequency of HIV testing to female sex workers, their clients and partners. This article explores their perceptions regarding HIV self-testing use and the redistribution of HIV self-testing kits to their partners and clients. Methods: Embedded within ATLAS, a qualitative study was conducted in Côte-d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal in 2020. Nine focus group discussions were conducted. A thematic analysis was performed. Results: A total of 87 participants expressed both positive attitudes toward HIV self-testing and their willingness to use or reuse HIV self-testing. HIV self-testing was perceived to be discreet, confidential, and convenient. HIV self-testing provides autonomy from testing by providers and reduces stigma. Some perceived HIV self-testing as a valuable tool for testing their clients who are willing to offer a premium for condomless sex. While highlighting some potential issues, overall, female sex workers were optimistic about linkage to confirmatory testing following a reactive HIV self-testing. Female sex workers expressed positive attitudes toward secondary distribution to their partners and clients, although it depended on relationship types. They seemed more enthusiastic about secondary distribution to their regular/emotional partners and regular clients with whom they had difficulty using condoms, and whom they knew enough to discuss HIV self-testing. However, they expressed that it could be more difficult with casual clients; the duration of the interaction being too short to discuss HIV self-testing, and they fear violence and/or losing them. Conclusion: Overall, female sex workers have positive attitudes toward HIV self-testing use and are willing to redistribute to their regular partners and clients. However, they are reluctant to promote such use with their casual clients. HIV self-testing can improve access to HIV testing for female sex workers and the members of their sexual and social network.

Background HIV self-testing (HIVST) is recommended by the World Health Organization as an additional HIV testing approach. Since 2019, it has been implemented in Cote d'Ivoire through the ATLAS project, including primary and secondary distribution channels. While the discreet and flexible nature of HIVST makes it appealing for users, it also makes the monitoring and estimation of the population-level programmatic impact of HIVST programs challenging. We used routinely collected data to estimate the effects of ATLAS HIVST distribution on access to testing, conventional testing (self-testing excluded), diagnoses, and antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiations in Cote d'Ivoire. Methods We used the ATLAS project's programmatic data between the third quarter (Q) of 2019 (Q3 2019) and Q1 2021, in addition to routine HIV testing services program data obtained from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief dashboard. We performed ecological time series regression using linear mixed models. Findings The results are presented for 1000 HIVST kits distributed through ATLAS. They show a negative but nonsignificant effect of the number of ATLAS HIVST on conventional testing uptake (-190 conventional tests [95% CI: -427 to 37, p=0.10]). We estimated that for 1000 additional HIVST distributed through ATLAS, +590 [95% CI: 357 to 821, p<0.001] additional individuals have accessed HIV testing, assuming an 80% HIVST utilization rate (UR) and +390 [95% CI: 161 to 625, p<0.001] assuming a 60% UR. The statistical relationship between the number of HIVST and HIV diagnoses was significant and positive (+8 diagnosis [95% CI: 0 to 15, p=0.044]). No effect was observed on ART initiation (-2 ART initiations [95% CI: -8 to 5, p=0.66]). Interpretations Social network-based HIVST distribution had a positive impact on access to HIV testing and diagnoses in Cote d'Ivoire. This approach offers a promising way for countries to assess the impact of HIVST programs. Funding Unitaid 2018-23-ATLAS

No abstract