Effectiveness of Oral HIV Self-testing Using Several Distribution Models in Cameroon: Evidence From the Self-Testing Africa (STAR) Initiative

Abstract Innovative strategies such as HIV self-testing (HIVST) might be useful for identifying hard-to-reach people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). We evaluated the effectiveness of HIVST in Cameroon using several distribution models and investigated the predictors of HIV seropositivity among self-testers. The study was conducted from 2021–2022 in three regions in Cameroon. HIVST kits were distributed according to 5 distribution models: antenatal, postnatal, maternal and child clinics (ANC/PNC/MCH); partners of PLWHA; workplace; and community and HIV-testing services (HTS). Overall, 42687 people received oral HIVST kits, among whom 15.6% were HIV first-testers. Approximately 85% reported on the test outcome; 2.3% (n = 825) were reactive, and 75.8% came for test confirmation. After the confirmation test, a concordance of 85% was found with the national algorithm. Overall, the HIV seroprevalence was 1.5% [95% CI: 1.4–1.6]; ANC/PNC/MCHC: 1.9%, partners of PLWHA: 6.9%, workplace: 0.5%, community: 0.1% and HTS: 7.0%, p < 0.001. The positivity rate among first-testers was 1.2%. Youths < 25 years had a lower seroprevalence (0.4%) than older people (2.6% and 2.7% for those aged 25–39 and those aged ≥ 40 years, respectively), p < 0.001. Seropositivity was negatively associated with secondary distribution, workplace model, community model and age < 25 years. On the other hand, partners of the PLWHA model, HTS model and first-time-testers were positively associated with seropositivity. In Cameroon, oral HIVST is an effective approach for identifying undiagnosed PLWHA, especially when using ANC/PNC/MCHC, partners of PLWHA and HTS distribution models. However, to ensure the successful scale-up of HIVST in Cameroon, guidelines should be revised to fine-tune the target for HIVST and optimize the use of resources.