UNITAID PSI HIV SELF-TESTING AFRICA Getting to the First 90 – Views on HIV self-test kit distribution among female sex workers in Zimbabwe Mary Tumushime, CeSHHAR Zimbabwe

Introduction & Methods Sisters with a Voice – sex worker friendly services from 36 sites across Zimbabwe HIV self-testing (HIVST) may increase HIV testing uptake and frequency among female sex workers (FSW) Current model = offer of self-testing at static FSW clinics with option to test on/off site Optimal ways of distributing self-test kits to FSW are unclear Formative qualitative research to inform community-based distribution models

Results (1 of 2) 15 focus group discussions (FGD) held from Sept-2016 to Jan-2017 6 FGD each among FSW (n=54) and peer educators (PE) (n=55) 2 FGD among hairdressers (n=16) 1 FGD among Care Promoters (n=7) FSW prefer collecting from dedicated clinics Confidentiality concerns with PE and hairdressers “We don’t want to get from hairdressers, their husbands are our clients”

Results (2 of 2) Mixed views among peer educators Most would like to distribute Some prefer clinic-based distribution like FSW “Don’t trust us, we may not give the kits to the intended beneficiaries!” Against hairdressers distributing kits Hairdressers and Care Promoters were willing to distribute kits Hairdressers expressed need to be paid - “At least if we can get something… I can get motivated” Care Promoters also agree to voucher system

Acknowledgements Study participants Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care UNITAID for funding this research Co-authors: N Ruhode, EL Sibanda, M Mutseta, C Watadzaushe, S Gudukeya, M Mapingure, K Hatzold, M Taegtmeyer, E Corbett, FM Cowan, S Napierala Mavedzenge STAR colleagues Contact: Mary Tumushime Research Coordinator UNITAID/PSI HIV Self-Testing Africa (STAR) Project - Zimbabwe mary@ceshhar.co.zw