Abstract
BackgroundAdults in developing countries frequently use community pharmacies as the first and often only source of care. The objective of this study was to assess the success of pharmacy referrals and uptake of HIV testing by young adult clients of community pharmacies in the context of a screening programme for acute HIV-1 infection (AHI).MethodsWe requested five pharmacies to refer clients meeting predefined criteria (ie, 18–29 years of age and requesting treatment for fever, diarrhoea, sexually transmitted infection (STI) symptoms or body pains) for HIV-1 testing and AHI screening at selected clinics. Using multivariable logistical regression, we determined client characteristics associated with HIV-1 test uptake.ResultsFrom February through July 2013, 1490 pharmacy clients met targeting criteria (range of weekly averages across pharmacies: 4–35). Of these, 1074 (72%) accepted a referral coupon, 377 (25%) reported at a study clinic, 353 (24%) were HIV-1 tested and 127 (9%) met criteria for the AHI study. Of those tested, 14 (4.0%) were HIV-1 infected. Test uptake varied significantly by referring pharmacy and was higher for clients who presented at the pharmacy without a prescription versus those with a prescription, and for clients who sought care for STI symptoms.ConclusionsAbout a quarter of targeted pharmacy clients took up HIV-1 testing. Clients seeking care directly at the pharmacy (ie, without a prescription) and those with STI symptoms were more likely to take up HIV-1 testing. Engagement of adult pharmacy clients for HIV-1 screening may identify undiagnosed individuals and offers opportunities for HIV-1 prevention research.
Highlights
Adults in developing countries frequently use community pharmacies as the first and often only source of care, owing to greater accessibility, lower cost or greater perceived privacy.[1 2]
We have recently reported results of an acute HIV infection (AHI) screening study based in clinics, with referral of potentially eligible participants from pharmacies.[7]
Pharmacy staff received Ksh 125 (US$1≈KSh 85) when a client presented at a study clinic and an additional Ksh 75 if the client was enrolled in the acute HIV-1 infection (AHI) study
Summary
Adults in developing countries frequently use community pharmacies as the first and often only source of care, owing to greater accessibility, lower cost or greater perceived privacy.[1 2]. We have recently reported results of an acute HIV infection (AHI) screening study based in clinics, with referral of potentially eligible participants from pharmacies.[7] The objective for the present study was to evaluate the success of pharmacy referrals and uptake of HIV testing by pharmacy clients in the context of this AHI screening programme. The objective of this study was to assess the success of pharmacy referrals and uptake of HIV testing by young adult clients of community pharmacies in the context of a screening programme for acute HIV-1 infection (AHI). Methods We requested five pharmacies to refer clients meeting predefined criteria (ie, 18–29 years of age and requesting treatment for fever, diarrhoea, sexually transmitted infection (STI) symptoms or body pains) for HIV-1 testing and AHI screening at selected clinics. We determined client characteristics associated with HIV-1 test uptake
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