Introducing HIV self-testing in Latvia – pilot for key groups

Latvia is among European Union (EU) countries where the incidence of HIV infection is high. Largest part of the cases is diagnosed late, with the time from infection till diagnosis being as long as 4 years. It should be emphasized that at least 30% of HIV cases in Latvia remain undiagnosed as testing rates are low when compared to other EU countries and with decreasing tendency since COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the promotion of HIV testing in the country is of utmost importance. The aim of the trial is to pilot and evaluate feasibility and acceptability of innovate (for Latvia) HIV testing technology – self testing - among key and vulnerable populations (people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, sex workers, survivors of violence and clients of municipal social services).
To achieve the aim there 6 activities will be carried out: (1) guidelines for performance of self-testing (with the referral to infectologist in case of a positive test) will be developed; (2) around 10 employees of low threshold centres, NGOs, municipal social services will be trained in provision of counseling for self-testing; (3) self-test implementation pilot-trial carried out (250 test-systems delivered) among 5 vulnerable groups mentioned above; (4) feasibility and acceptability of self-testing and associated socioeconomic, demographic, behavioral and health factors clarified via mixed methods study (cross-sectional study and in-depth interviews among key populations and stakeholders); (5) scientific evidence gained within the study will be disseminated among scientific community, stakeholders and lay community.