Sunil Mehra
India
Research Article
Is it Feasible to Use an Oral-Fluid Based Rapid Test Facilitated by Frontline Workers to Improve HIV Screening of Pregnant Women in Indian Rural Settings?
Author(s): Pankhuri Sharma, Simi Khan, Jagannath Behera, Archana Sarkar, Sunil Mehra and Poonam Verma ShivkumarPankhuri Sharma, Simi Khan, Jagannath Behera, Archana Sarkar, Sunil Mehra and Poonam Verma Shivkumar
Objectives: The importance of knowing HIV status is a key strategy for HIV response and effective treatment services. The present study aimed to assess feasibility of using oral- fluid based rapid HIV test aided by FrontlineHealth workers (FLWs) of pregnant women in rural districts of India. Methods: A feasibility study, using cross sectional design was carried-out in two rural districts of India. Overall, 900 pregnant women were screened using OraQuick® test, an oral-fluid based rapid HIV test facilitated by trained FLWs and subsequently, all participants were tested at in existing government center for confirmatory HIV testing. The data were collected from three aspects: i) the results of OraQuick® HIV test and confirmatory test ii) the perspectives of FLWs through in-depth interviews and iii) information on the acceptability of oral-fluid based .. View More»
