Observational studyBMC public health2026
Results of the HCV self-testing implementation study through the secondary distribution of HCV self-tests among adult males in Georgia.
Observational study in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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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.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundScaling up hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and diagnosis is a critical goal of the Global WHO elimination strategy. HCV self-testing (HCVST) has emerged as a promising self-care approach to improve access and early detection, particularly among hard-to-reach populations. In Georgia, a 2015 HCV serosurvey indicated that 57.3% of anti-HCV reactive individuals were men aged 30–59. This study evaluated a secondary distribution strategy for HCVST aimed at increasing testing uptake among this population in Tbilisi, Georgia.
methodsWe implemented an observational cross-sectional study evaluating a secondary distribution delivery model of HCVST. We recruited women attending three cancer screening centers. Women who reported having a male family member or partner aged 30–59 years who had not previously been tested for HCV were provided with 1–3 oral fluid HCVST kits to distribute to these men, who were encouraged to complete the test, upload results to an online platform, and complete a questionnaire capturing demographic and risk-related data. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted to assess factors associated with reactive HCVST results. Linkage to care was evaluated via the national hepatitis C elimination program database six months after testing.
resultsBetween June 2022 and March 2023, 1,859 women were enrolled, distributing 2,744 kits. A total of 852 men uploaded test results; 723 (84.9%) completed the questionnaire. Of these, 16 (1.9%) reported a reactive result, 807 (94.7%) were non-reactive, and 29 (3.3%) indeterminate. Prior HCV testing was reported by 10.3% (n = 88). Reactive results were significantly associated with a history of imprisonment (p < .01) and injection drug use (p = .02). Of the 16 with reactive results, 10 were tested to confirm results at medical facilities, and 9 cases confirmed positive for anti-HCV. Seven (78%) were RNA-positive and initiated treatment.
conclusionSecondary distribution of HCVST kits through women effectively engaged previously untested men and demonstrated a high rate of follow-up and treatment initiation. This strategy offers a promising model for expanding HCV testing coverage in Georgia. However, strengthened linkage-to-care mechanisms are essential to ensure timely confirmation and treatment of HCV infections identified through self-testing.
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