Willingness to use HIV self-test kits in Winneba, Ghana

Abstract

Over the years, many successive governments of Ghana have been making efforts to minimise the transmission of HIV in the country through its agencies such as the Ghana health service and the Ghana AIDS Commission. In an attempt to continue to bring the transmission of HIV under control, the government of Ghana in July 2023, launched the HIV self-test (HIVST) kits for use. However, like new health products such as COVID-19 vaccines, there is a tendency of hesitancy to their use in the country. Using the case study design in connection with the purposive sampling technique, the study sampled 12 participants in Winneba, Ghana and data was analysed using thematic analysis. The study found that majority of the people were aware of the HIVST kits in the country with another indicating that the HIVST kits are yet to be made available in communities. Women were found to be more willing to use the HIVST kits than other population groups. Accessing the HIVST kits on the other hand was met with scarcity and participants identified the pharmacy to be the best place to access the HIVST kits. It is recommended that the municipal health directorate and the Ghana AIDS commission should collaborate to intensify education and publicity on the availability and use of the HIVST kits. Additionally, in order to prevent unforeseen shocks, there is a need for the pharmaceutical society of Ghana to train and equip its members to offer counselling services to users of the HIVST kits.