PrEP dispensing with HIV self-testing

HIV continues to be a global public health issue, even with the availability of effective HIV prevention technologies, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Despite increasing data showing that tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-based oral PrEP is safe and needs minimal monitoring, the HIV testing requirement restricts increasing the length of PrEP dispensing intervals to more than once every 3 months. 1 Schaefer R Amparo da Costa Leite PH Silva R et al. Kidney function in tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-based oral pre-exposure prophylaxis users: a systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature and a multi-country meta-analysis of individual participant data. Lancet HIV. 2022; 9: e242-e253 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar HIV self-testing (HIVST) is acceptable in diverse settings and uptake is generally high, 2 Eshun-Wilson I Jamil MS Witzel TC et al. A systematic review and network meta-analyses to assess the effectiveness of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) self-testing distribution strategies. Clin Infect Dis. 2021; 73: e1018-e1028 Crossref PubMed Scopus (13) Google Scholar but HIVST use for PrEP support is not yet approved by WHO. 3 WHOWHO implementation tool for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) of HIV infection: module 1: clinical. World Health Organization, Geneva2017https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/255889Date accessed: June 9, 2022 Google Scholar In this context, a study by Kenneth Ngure and colleagues, 4 Ngure K Ortblad KF Mogere P et al. Efficiency of 6-month PrEP dispensing with HIV self-testing in Kenya: an open-label, randomised, non-inferiority, implementation trial. Lancet HIV. 2022; 9: e464-e473 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (2) Google Scholar published in The Lancet HIV, provides a key contribution to the body of evidence available to influence policy. Efficiency of 6-month PrEP dispensing with HIV self-testing in Kenya: an open-label, randomised, non-inferiority, implementation trial6-month PrEP dispensing with HIVST for interim testing reduced the number of PrEP clinic visits in half without compromising HIV testing, retention, or adherence. Full-Text PDF