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. 2021 Jun 26;21(1):609.
doi: 10.1186/s12879-021-06332-z.

Values and preferences for hepatitis C self-testing among people who inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan

Guillermo Z Martínez-Pérez  1 , Danil S Nikitin  2 , Alla Bessonova  3 , Emmanuel Fajardo  4 , Sergei Bessonov  3 , Sonjelle Shilton  5
Affiliations

Values and preferences for hepatitis C self-testing among people who inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan

Guillermo Z Martínez-Pérez et al. BMC Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who inject drugs (PWID) continues to be a major public-health burden in this highly stigmatised population. To halt transmission of HCV, rapid HCV self-testing kits represent an innovative approach that could enable PWID to know their HCV status and seek treatment. As no HCV test has yet been licenced for self-administration, it is crucial to obtain knowledge around the factors that may deter or foster delivery of HCV self-testing among PWID in resource-constrained countries.

Methods: A qualitative study to assess values and preferences relating to HCV self-testing was conducted in mid-2020 among PWID in the Bishkek and Chui regions of Kyrgyzstan. Forty-seven PWID participated in 15 individual interviews, two group interviews (n = 12) and one participatory action-research session (n = 20). Responses were analysed using a thematic analysis approach with 4 predefined themes: awareness of HCV and current HCV testing experiences, and acceptability and service delivery preferences for HCV self-testing. Informants' insights were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. This research received local ethics approval.

Results: Awareness of HCV is low and currently PWID prefer community-based HCV testing due to stigma encountered in other healthcare settings. HCV self-testing would be accepted and appreciated by PWID. Acceptability may increase if HCV self-testing: was delivered in pharmacies or by harm reduction associations; was free of charge; was oral rather than blood-based; included instructions with images and clear information on the test's accuracy; and was distributed alongside pre- and post-testing counselling with linkage to confirmatory testing support.

Conclusions: HCV self-testing could increase awareness of and more frequent testing for HCV infection among PWID in Kyrgyzstan. It is recommended that peer-driven associations are involved in the delivery of any HCV self-testing. Furthermore, efforts should be maximised to end discrimination against PWID at the healthcare institutions responsible for confirmatory HCV testing and treatment provision.

Keywords: Diagnostics; Formative research; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C self-testing; Values and preferences.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicting or competing interests to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A description of the participatory action research (PAR) exercises
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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MeSH terms