A Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase HIV Testing Demand Among Female Sex Workers in Kenya Through Announcing the Availability of HIV Self-testing Via Text Message

Sep 15, 2026

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The study evaluates whether text-message announcements about clinic-based HIV self-testing increase HIV testing rates among female sex workers in Kenya. A sample of 2,196 women, recorded as irregular HIV testers in an electronic health record system, was randomized to receive either an intervention message announcing availability of HIV self-test kits sent three times, enhanced standard of care (general HIV testing messages sent three times), or traditional standard of care (general HIV testing sent once). During two-month follow-up, intervention participants were more likely to test than the enhanced standard of care group (OR 1.9, p=0.001), while no difference emerged between the two control arms. Announcing self-testing availability increased testing in this high-risk population.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Study design and participants

Intervention and comparison arms

Outcomes and results

Conclusion

AIDS and Behavior [https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-018-2248-5](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-018-2248-5) ORIGINAL PAPER A Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase HIV Testing Demand Among Female Sex Workers in Kenya Through Announcing the Availability of HIV Self‑testing Via Text Message Elizabeth A. Kelvin1,2 · Gavin George3 · Eva Mwai4 · Samuel Kinyanjui4 · Matthew L. Romo1,2 · Jacob O. Odhiambo4 · Faith Oruko4 · Eston Nyaga4 · Kaymarlin Govender3 · Joanne E. Mantell5 © The Author(s) 2018 Abstract We assessed whether informing female sex workers about the availability of HIV self-testing at clinics in Kenya using text messages would increase HIV testing rates. We selected a sample of 2196 female sex workers registered in an electronic health record system who were irregular HIV testers and randomized them to be sent a text message announcing the availability of (1) HIV self-test kits sent three times (intervention),(2) general HIV testing sent three times (enhanced standard of care [SOC]), or (3) general HIV testing sent one time (traditional SOC) . Participants in the intervention arm were significantly more likely to test for HIV during 2-month follow-up compared to those in the enhanced SOC (OR 1.9, p = 0.001) . There was no difference in HIV testing between those in the enhanced SOC and the traditional SOC arms. Announcing the availability of HIV self-testing via text message increased HIV testing among this high-risk group. Keywords HIV testing · HIV self-testing · Female sex workers · Kenya · Randomized controlled trial Resumen Evaluamos si informar a las trabajadoras sexuales femeninas acerca de la disponibilidad de la prueba autoadministrada del VIH en algunas clínicas en Kenia usando mensajes de texto aumentaría las tasas de prueba del VIH. Seleccionamos unamuestra de 2196 trabajadoras sexuales femeninas registradas en un sistema electrónico de registros de salud que habían hechola prueba del VIH irregularmente y las asignamos al azar para recibir mensajes de texto que anunciaba la disponibilidad de (1) botiquines de la prueba autoadministrada del VIH, enviado tres veces (intervención),(2) pruebas estándares del VIH, enviadotres veces (estándar de cuidado [EDC] aumentado), o (3) pruebas estándares del VIH, enviado una vez (EDC tradicional) . Fue significativamente más probable que aquellos en el grupo de intervención hicieran la prueba del VIH durante el seguimientode 2 meses en comparación con aquellos en el EDC aumentado (razón de momios = 1,9, p = 0,001) . No hubo diferencias en hacer la prueba del VIH entre aquellos en el EDC aumentado y el EDC tradicional. Anunciar la disponibilidad de la pruebade VIH autoadministrada a través de mensajes de texto aumentó las tasas de prueba del VIH entre este grupo de alto riesgo. This trial is registered at the Registry for International Impact Evaluations (RIDIE-STUDY-ID-582a2462ae2ab): [http://ridie](http://ridie) .[3ieimpact.org/index.php?r=search/detailView&id=492](3ieimpact.org/index.php?r=search/detailView&id=492) . * Elizabeth A. Kelvin [elizabethakelvin@gmail.com](elizabethakelvin@gmail.com) 1 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, 55 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA 2 Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA 3 Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa 4 North Star Alliance, Nairobi, Kenya 5 Division of Gender, Sexuality and Health, Department of Psychiatry, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute & Columbia University, New York, NY, USA 1 3 Introduction Worldwide, HIV prevalence among sex workers is estimated to be as much as 12 times that of the general population [1] . In Kenya, where this study was conducted, the disparity is somewhat lower but still conc

FAQs

What was the main goal of the randomized controlled trial?

To determine whether informing female sex workers about clinic availability of HIV self-testing via text messages would increase HIV testing rates.

How were participants assigned to groups?

The trial randomized 2,196 female sex workers who were irregular HIV testers in Kenya to receive either self-test kit announcements (sent three times), enhanced standard care with general testing messages (sent three times), or traditional standard care with general testing messages (sent once).

What were the key findings after two months?

Participants in the self-test kit announcement intervention were significantly more likely to test for HIV than those receiving enhanced standard care (OR 1.9, p=0.001). No difference was observed between the two standard of care arms.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Graffin