The HOSENG trial – Effect of the provision of oral self-testing for absent and refusing individuals during a door-to-door HIV-testing campaign on testing coverage: protocol of a cluster-randomized clinical trial in rural Lesotho

摘要

BackgroundHIV-testing coverage remains below the targeted 90% despite efforts and resources invested. Home-based HIV-testing is a key approach endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), especially to reach individuals who might not seek testing otherwise. Although acceptance of testing during such campaigns is high, coverage remains low due to absent household members. This cluster-randomized trial aims to assess increase in testing coverage using oral HIV self-testing (HIVST) among individuals who are absent or decline testing during home-based HIV-testing.