Usability and acceptability of self-testing for hepatitis C virus infection among the general population in the Nile Delta region of Egypt

Reipold, Elena Ivanova; Farahat, Ashraf; Elbeeh, Amira; Soliman, Reham; Aza, Elkin Bermudez; Jamil, Muhammad S; Johnson, Cheryl; Shiha, Gamal; Easterbrook, Philippa

doi:10.1186/s12889-021-11169-x

Cited by 20 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Just over half of 100 self-testers were able to complete all steps of the HCV self-test, and almost all interpreted the results correctly (most without assistance). We found the most frequently observed difficulties related to sliding the tube into the stand and removing the cap from the test tube, consistent with studies in Egypt ( 21 ) and Vietnam ( 20 ). We also found that the steps at which errors were observed differed slightly between the studies in China, Egypt ( 21 ) and Vietnam ( 20 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…This study expands the literature by examining the usability, feasibility, and acceptability of HCV self-testing in China. Similar pilot studies on HCV self-testing have been conducted by the FIND and WHO team in different settings and populations in Vietnam ( 20 ), Egypt ( 21 ), Kenya ( 22 ) and Georgia. Findings from this study provide insights for the implementation of HCV self-testing programmes and research among MSM.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

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HCV Self-Testing to Expand Testing: A Pilot Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China

Reipold

Zhao

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundHepatitis C virus self-testing (HCVST) may increase test uptake especially among marginalized key populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM). We conducted an observational study to assess the usability, acceptability and feasibility of HCVST among MSM in China.MethodsAn observational study with convenience sampling was performed among MSM in Guangzhou, China in 2019. The OraQuick® HCV Rapid Antibody Test kits were used in this study. Participants performed all 12 HCVST steps and interpreted the results in the presence of a trained observer. Usability was defined as the number and percentage of participants who completed all testing steps correctly without assistance and interpreted the results correctly. Inter-reader concordance was calculated as the percentage agreement between the results interpreted by the participant and those interpreted by a trained staff member. The same process was used to estimate inter-operator agreement between the self-testing and professional use test results. Acceptability was assessed using an interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire.ResultsAmong 100 participants with median age 27 (interquartile range 23–30) years, 4% reported prior history of HCV testing, 41% reported using blood-based HIV self-testing in the past, 54% (95%CI: 43.7–64.0%) completed all self-testing steps correctly without assistance and interpreted the results correctly. Both the inter-reader and inter-operator concordance were excellent at 97% (95%CI: 91.5–99.4%) and 98% (95%CI: 93.0–99.8%), respectively. The majority rated the HCVST process as very easy (52%, 95%CI: 41.8–62.1%) or easy (41%, 95%CI: 31.3–51.3%), 76% (95%CI: 66.4–84.0%) were willing to use HCVST again, and 75% (95%CI: 65.3–83.1%) would recommend it to their family and friends.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that oral fluid HCVST has high usability and acceptability among Chinese MSM. More implementation research is needed to plan how best to position and scale-up HCVST alongside other facility-and community-based testing approaches and ensure data linkage into health systems.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

HCV Self-Testing to Expand Testing: A Pilot Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China

Reipold

Zhao

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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“…Further research is still needed on the usability and acceptability of HCVST in different populations and geographic regions to inform policy recommendations. To address this gap, FIND in collaboration with WHO has conducted a series of usability and acceptability studies among different populations in China, Egypt [ 31 ], Kenya, Malaysia, Rwanda, Pakistan and Vietnam [ 32 ]. In this study in Georgia, we sought to assess the usability and acceptability of oral-based HCVST among PWID and MSM/transgender people (TG).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Usability and acceptability of oral-based HCV self-testing among key populations: a mixed-methods evaluation in Tbilisi, Georgia

et al. 2022

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Background Hepatitis C virus self-testing (HCVST) is an additional approach that may expand access to HCV testing. We conducted a mixed-methods cross-sectional observational study to assess the usability and acceptability of HCVST among people who inject drugs (PWID), men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender (TG) people in Tbilisi, Georgia. Methods The study was conducted from December 2019 to June 2020 among PWID at one harm reduction site and among MSM/TG at one community-based organization. We used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Usability was assessed by observing errors made and difficulties faced by participants. Acceptability was assessed using an interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire. A subset of participants participated in cognitive and in-depth interviews. Results A total of 90 PWID, 84 MSM and 6 TG were observed performing HCVST. PWID were older (median age 35 vs 24) and had a lower level of education compared to MSM/TG (27% vs 59%). The proportion of participants who completed all steps successfully without assistance was 60% among PWID and 80% among MSM/TG. The most common error was in sample collection and this was observed more often among PWID than MSM/TG (21% vs 6%; p = 0.002). More PWID requested assistance during HCVST compared to MSM/TG (22% vs 8%; p = 0.011). Acceptability was high in both groups (98% vs 96%; p = 0.407). Inter-reader agreement was 97% among PWID and 99% among MSM/TG. Qualitative data from cognitive (n = 20) and in-depth interviews (n = 20) was consistent with the quantitative data confirming a high usability and acceptability. Conclusions HCVST was highly acceptable among key populations in Georgia of relatively high educational level, and most participants performed HCVST correctly. A significant difference in usability was observed among PWID compared to MSM/TG, indicating that PWID may benefit from improved messaging and education as well as options to receive direct assistance when self-testing for HCV.

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“…Rapid tests that are performed within health facilities staffed by health professionals are POC tests, which permit rapid diagnosis and treatment or entry into care in a single visit (54). Self-testing strategies which remove the requirement to undergo POC testing at a healthcare facility have been assessed in LMIC regions and have shown advantages of ease of use, convenience, and privacy; however, provision of testing instructions, at the point of sale (pharmacy or hospital) is likely required to minimize confusion and ensure the procedure is followed correctly (55,56). The major limitations of most POC tests in LMIC involve procurement, distribution and handling of POC tests, training of personnel, and regulatory protocols which may hinder access in certain LMIC (32).…”

Section: Rapid Point Of Care Diagnostic Testingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Diagnostics for Hepatitis B and C Viruses in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Shenge¹,

Osiowy

2021

Front.Virol.

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The global health challenge posed by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) persists, especially in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), where underdiagnosis of these viral infections remains a barrier to the elimination target of 2030. HBV and HCV infections are responsible for most liver-related mortality worldwide. Infected individuals are often unaware of their condition and as a result, continue to transmit these viruses. Although conventional diagnostic tests exist, in LMIC they are largely inaccessible due to high costs or a lack of trained personnel, resulting in poor linkage to care and increased infections. Timely and accurate diagnosis is needed to achieve elimination of hepatitis B and C by the year 2030 as set out by the World Health Organization Global Health Sector Strategy. In this review rapid diagnostic tests allowing for quick and cost-effective screening and diagnosis of HBV and HCV, are discussed, as are their features, including suitability, reliability, and applicability in LMIC, particularly those within Africa.

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Usability and acceptability of self-testing for hepatitis C virus infection among the general population in the Nile Delta region of Egypt

Cited by 20 publications

References 25 publications

HCV Self-Testing to Expand Testing: A Pilot Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China

HCV Self-Testing to Expand Testing: A Pilot Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China

Usability and acceptability of oral-based HCV self-testing among key populations: a mixed-methods evaluation in Tbilisi, Georgia

Rapid Diagnostics for Hepatitis B and C Viruses in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

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