HIV self-testing in Pune, India: perspectives and recommendations of female sex workers and peer educators

ABSTRACT

Female sex workers (FSW) represent a focal point of the HIV epidemic in India. HIV self-testing (HIVST) could mitigate under-diagnosis of HIV and reduce disease transmission in this population. This study assessed the acceptability of HIVST through focus group discussions (FGD) with FSW. FSW expressed willingness to use HIVST and preference for saliva-based HIVST over blood-based HIVST and preferred that HIVST education, administration, and storage take place in trusted community centers and not in brothels. We provide preliminary recommendations for the implementation of an acceptable and feasible HIVST program for FSW in India.

KEYWORDS:

• Female sex worker
• focus group
• HIV self-testing
• India

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability

The data used for this study are not publically available. Interested parties should contact the corresponding co-author to discuss potential collaboration and access.

ORCID

Ann Duerr http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3399-2208