ArticleEClinicalMedicine2021
Examining the effects of HIV self-testing compared to standard HIV testing services in the general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Article in EClinicalMedicine, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 59 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
59 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 98 citations in OpenAlex.
- Pooled it
- Social network strategies to distribute HIV self-testing kits: a global systematic review and network meta-analysis.Journal of the International AIDS Society · 2024Pooled it
- Effectiveness of Linkage to Care and Prevention Interventions Following HIV Self-Testing: A Global Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.AIDS and behavior · 2024Pooled it
- Prevalence and trends of advanced HIV disease among antiretroviral therapy-naïve and antiretroviral therapy-experienced patients in South Africa between 2010-2021: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC infectious diseases · 2023Pooled it
- Effect of enhanced peer PrEP referral with HIV self-testing delivery among young Kenyan women: A randomized controlled trial of peer networks.PLoS medicine · 2026Trial
- The economic costs and cost-effectiveness of HIV self-testing among truck drivers in Kenya.Health policy and planning · 2024Trial
- Understanding experiences of potential harm among MSM (cis and trans) using HIV self-testing in the SELPHI randomised controlled trial in England and Wales: a mixed-methods study.Sexually transmitted infections · 2023Trial
- Partner testing with HIV self-test distribution by Ugandan pregnant women living with HIV: a randomized trial.Journal of the International AIDS Society · 2023Trial
- Effect of index HIV self-testing for sexual partners of clients enrolled in antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs in Malawi: A randomized controlled trial.PLoS medicine · 2023Trial
- HIV testing and linkage to ART following secondary distribution of HIV self-test kits to male partners of women living with HIV: a pilot randomized control trial in Mpumalanga, South Africa.Journal of the International AIDS Society · 2022Trial
- Article
- Article
- Multilevel Determinants of HIV Prevention Among Urban Refugee Youth in Uganda: Baseline Findings from the Tushirikiane-4-Uthabiti Trial.AIDS and behavior · 2026Article
- Acceptability of HIV self-testing among sexual health service providers and Two-Spirit, gay, bisexual, and queer men in Ontario, Canada.Health promotion international · 2026Article
- HIV self-testing preferences among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in urban settings in Uganda: A discrete choice experiment.PLOS global public health · 2026Article
- Perceived barriers and facilitators to the feasibility and acceptability of a peer-to-peer (P2P) HIV self-testing distribution model among adolescents and young people aged 15-24 years in Uganda: a qualitative study.BMJ public health · 2026Article
- Navigating HIV self-testing: Concerns among adolescents and young people aged 15-24 years in Uganda. An exploratory qualitative study.PloS one · 2026Article
- Perspectives on App-Assisted Self-Testing Using Rapid Diagnostic Tests Among Community Members, Health Care Providers, and Public Health Leaders in Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia: Qualitative Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Article
- Application of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Theory to Explore HIV Self-Testing Behavior Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Southwest China.Archives of sexual behavior · 2025Article
- Empowering at-risk Thai adolescents and young adults: an observational study of "Stand By You" - a person-centred online service model for HIV self-screening, text-based counselling and linkage to care.Journal of the International AIDS Society · 2025Observational
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
16 authors at 7 institutions in 6 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundWe updated a 2017 systematic review and compared the effects of HIV self-testing (HIVST) to standard HIV testing services to understand effective service delivery models among the general population.
methodsWe included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing testing outcomes with HIVST to standard testing in the general population and published between January 1, 2006 and June 4, 2019. Random effects meta-analysis was conducted and pooled risk ratios (RRs) were reported. The certainty of evidence was determined using the GRADE methodology.
findingsWe identified 14 eligible RCTs, 13 of which were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. Support provided to self-testers ranged from no/basic support to one-on-one in-person support. HIVST increased testing uptake overall (RR:2.09; 95% confidence interval: 1.69-2.58;
interpretationHIVST appears to be safe and effective among the general population in sub-Saharan Africa with a range of delivery models. It identified and linked additional people with HIV to care. These findings support the wider availability of HIVST to reach those who may not otherwise access testing.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.