Assessment of the Potential Impact and Cost-effectiveness of Self-Testing for HIV in Low-Income Countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Studies have demonstrated that self-testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is highly acceptable among individuals and could allow cost savings, compared with provider-delivered HIV testing and counseling (PHTC), although the longer-term population-level effects are uncertain. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of introducing self-testing in 2015 over a 20-year time frame in a country such as Zimbabwe.

Methods

The HIV synthesis model was used. Two scenarios were considered. In the reference scenario, self-testing is not available, and the rate of first-time and repeat PHTC is assumed to increase from 2015 onward, in line with past trends. In the intervention scenario, self-testing is introduced at a unit cost of $3.

Results

We predict that the intro

SUBMITTER: Cambiano V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4512606 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature