Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance
Date Submitted: Jul 16, 2022
Date Accepted: Nov 18, 2022
Practice and the Potential Role of HIV Self-Testing in China: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
ABSTRACT
Background:
HIV self-testing (HIVST) was recommended by the WHO as an approach to routine HIV testing services. The scale of HIVST has been expanded gradually in China. To take a closer look at the role of HIVST in China, we reviewed the promotion and application of HIVST in China.
Objective:
To investigate the practices and the potential pole of HIV self-testing in China.
Methods:
Five databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, WanFang, and China National Knowledge Internet, were systematically searched for studies reporting prevalence of HIVST application from January 1, 2010 to December 25, 2021. Meta-analyses of the pooled proportion estimates were carried out by meta-package in R (version 4.1.2). Statistical heterogeneity among the studies was estimated using the Cochrane’s Q test and inconsistency index (I2).
Results:
A total of 50 studies were included in the systematic review. The estimated pooled prevalence of HIVST application in China was 29.9% (95% CI 22.5–37.9%). Among individuals who have ever used HIVST, 47.5% (95% CI: 37.2%–57.8%) were tested for HIV for the first time. The pooled reactive rate of HIVST was 4.6% (95% CI: 3.2%–6.5%). When the HIVST presented reactive, 81.3% (95% CI:70.9%–91.6%) individuals sought medical care.
Conclusions:
Recently, HIVST has become an important tool for HIV prevention in China. The use of HIVST in non-MSM populations needs to be scaled up. The long-term application of HIVST and the effect of self-financing use in China are yet to be explored.
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