Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40819872›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Opportunities, challenges and perceived strategies for the uptake of the OraQuick HIV self-test among female sex workers in Ethiopia: a qualitative study.

Mulat Ayele, Abebaw Alamrew, Eyob Shitie Lake, Gizachew Yilak, Befkad Derese Tilahun, Lebeza Alemu Tenaw, Abayneh Tunta, Besfat Berihun Erega, Anteneh Gashaw, Getinet Kumie

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Mulat AyeleDepartment of Midwifery, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia aymulat29@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4244-9100
Abebaw AlamrewDepartment of Midwifery, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-6342-9636
Eyob Shitie LakeDepartment of Midwifery, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7437-6076
Gizachew YilakDepartment of Nursing, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5650-9699
Befkad Derese TilahunDepartment of Nursing, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-6205-1139
Lebeza Alemu TenawDepartment of Public Health, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0144-4968
Abayneh TuntaDepartment of Human Anatomy, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9992-5262
Besfat Berihun EregaDepartment of Midwifery, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8075-6294
Anteneh GashawDepartment of Midwifery, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Dilla University, Dilla, Southern Nations, Ethiopia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-8396-2186
Getinet KumieDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo explore the opportunities, challenges and perceived strategies for the uptake of OraQuick HIV self-testing (HIVST) among female sex workers in Ethiopia.

designA phenomenological study design, with the Integrated Behavioural Model used as a framework for analysis and interpretation.

settingWoldia, North Wollo, Ethiopia, 13-30 February 2024.

participantsTwenty female sex workers and 18 key informants in Woldia participated in in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions.

resultsThe advantages related to OraQuick HIVST include its privacy, ease of use, reduced waiting time, lowered transportation costs, usability for immobile individuals, application in screening for index case testing programmes, providing confidence and reliability and the elimination of the need for healthcare providers during testing. Perceived possible challenges for the uptake of OraQuick HIVST included kit shortage, absence of policies or guidelines for HIVST, lack of post-test counselling and immediate treatment for positive individuals, potential psychological trauma such as suicidal ideation or attempts, lack of linkage to care for those with reactive results, inaccurate reporting of positive results or result concealment and doubts about reliability before education. Strategies perceived for enhancing the uptake of OraQuick HIVST included making the HIVST kit accessible to higher education communities, addressing HIVST-related doubts by including phone or email contact information, advocating and creating awareness about OraQuick HIVST and ensuring the availability of kits in easily accessible locations.

conclusionThe study findings highlight many positive opportunities related to the uptake of OraQuick HIVST. Policymakers should prioritise addressing the challenges identified and implementing the proposed strategies to enhance the uptake of OraQuick HIVST, potentially leading to improved HIV testing rates and outcomes.

Indexed as

HIV InfectionsSelf-TestingSex WorkersAdultEthiopiaFemaleFocus GroupsHumansInterviews as TopicQualitative ResearchYoung AdultHealth ServicesHIV & AIDSInfection controlInfectious disease/HIV

Identifiers

PMID40819872
PMCPMC12359498

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.