DELIVERY MODELS AND TRAINING. 3.3.1. OVERVIEW At the most general level, HIVST distribution is either direct (primary) or indirect (secondary) and HIVST distribution can be assisted and unassisted. Primary distribution: This approach employs trained providers, either health professionals (e.g. healthcare workers, pharmacists, counselors) or lay providers (e.g. community- based distribution agents, peer-educators, community health care workers, expert clients, peer navigator, etc.) Even though they are professionals, healthcare workers and pharmacists still require additional orientation, training and information about HIVST to be able to provide adequate support and facilitate linkage to further testing, prevention and treatment. Meanwhile, studies have shown that, with proper training, non-professionals such as CBDAs and peer educators can be highly effective in mobilization efforts and the distribution of HIVST kits as well as in facilitating linkages to health facilities and community outreach with all priority populations. Secondary distribution: This refers to distribution among partners (including sexual and drug injecting partners) and via social networks by individual (either HIV positive or negative), who present at health care facilities or HIVST distribution points at community level and workplaces, pharmacies, etc. This approach can increase testing uptake among people who would otherwise not test and are at high risk of HIV infection (e.g. sexual or drug injecting partners of HIV positive index clients) and potentially help facilitate linkages to care and treatment. However, for this approach to be effective, it is important that the initial HIVST kit distribution include ( see also detailed SOP for secondary HIVST distribution): • Screening for intimate partner violence • Information on how to self-test • Information on how to offer and demonstrate a self-test • Verbiage on the importance of avoiding non-coercive practices • Information on linkage into confirmative testing, Care and Treatment or HIV prevention • If indicated: consent for provider follow up with the self-tester directly Assisted HIVST refers to when individuals who are self-testing for HIV receive an in-person demonstration from a trained provider or peer before or during HIVST, with instructions on how to perform a self- test and how to interpret the self-test result. This assistance is provided in addition to the manufacturer-supplied instructions for use and other materials found inside HIVST kits. Unas...
