HOme-based SElf-testiNG - a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial in Rural Lesotho (HOSENG)

Most trials assessing oral HIVST make use of OraQuick® (OraQuick ADVANCE HIV I/II test kits, packaged for self-use), an oral-fluid rapid self-test. OraQuick® is a 2nd generation serology assay with a sensitivity of 99.3% (95%CI; 98.4%, 99.7%) and a specificity of 99.8% (95%CI; 99.6%, 99.9%). In a pilot study with 59 participants conducted in Lesotho in 2015 more than 90% of the participants found utilization of OraQuick® easy, and trusted the results of the self-test kit. The WHO recently has announced that OraQuick becomes the first prequalified HIV self-test, in order to improve diagnosis in low-resourced health systems and in countries where stigma prevents people from getting tested. Therefore, OraQuick® is now available in Lesotho for as little as 2 USD per test kit.