How pregnant women living with HIV and their male partners manage men's HIV self-testing: qualitative analysis of an HIVST secondary distribution process in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: Increased HIV testing by men in sub-Saharan Africa is key to meeting UNAIDS 2025 testing targets. Secondary distribution of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits by pregnant women attending antenatal care to male partners has been shown to increase testing among African men. A detailed understanding of how women and male partners manage the distribution and use of HIVST and subsequent linkage to clinic-based follow-up can inform implementation and scale-up efforts.

Methods: We use qualitative data from the Obumu Study, a randomized trial of secondary distribution of HIVST by pregnant women living with HIV to male partners in Kampala, Uganda, to unpack the HIVST delivery process. The protocol included a clinic visit by male partners to confirm HIVST results. Individual interviews eliciting data on experiences of delivering and using HIVST and of subsequent linkage to clinic-based testing were conducted with a purposefully selected sample of 45 women and 45 male partner Obumu Study participants from November 2018 to March 2021. Interview data from 59 participants (29 women and 30 men) in the HIVST arm were analysed through coding and category construction.

Results: Women living with HIV were apprehensive about delivering HIVST to their partners, especially if they had not disclosed their HIV status. They invested effort in developing strategies for introducing HIVST. Male partners described a range of responses to receiving the self-testing kit, especially fear of a positive test result. Women reported leading the self-testing process, often conducting the test themselves. Most women confidently interpreted HIVST results. However, they tended to defer to healthcare workers rather than report positive results directly to partners. Women told their partners the testing process required a clinic follow-up visit, often without explaining the visit's purpose. Many partners delayed the visit as a result. Women again responded by strategizing to persuade their partners to link to follow-up care.

Conclusions: Secondary distribution of HIVST by pregnant women living with HIV to male partners can be challenging, especially when women have not disclosed their HIV status. Additional support may alleviate the burden; outreach to male partners may facilitate linkage to confirmatory testing and HIV care or prevention.

Keywords: HIV prevention; HIV self-testing; HIV service delivery; Uganda; pregnant women; secondary distribution.

Figure 1

The process of delivering HIVST by Ugandan pregnant women living with HIV to male partners in Kampala, Uganda.