Date of Completion

2024

Document Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master in Public Health

Keywords

HIV self-testing, TB-HIV co-infection, patient-centered care, public health intervention, self-testing adoption

Abstract

Pro-ACTHIV was implemented at the Antipolo City Health Office I to pilot HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) as a complementary approach to Facility-Based Testing (FBT) among DrugSensitive Tuberculosis (DSTB) and Rifampicin-Resistant/Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (RR/MDR-TB) patients to screen for their HIV status. The project aimed to enhance TB-HIV integration by providing more accessible and client-centered testing options. Over the 11-week implementation period, 94 TB patients were screened for HIV, achieving an 89.5% screening rate. Of these, 47 individuals (50%) opted for HIVST, with the majority selecting the directly assisted method. While no reactive cases were detected through HIVST, one case was confirmed through FBT.

Findings revealed a notable client preference for assisted HIVST, particularly among males aged 25-34, who cited the need for professional guidance. Despite the advantages of increased accessibility and privacy, challenges emerged, including the low uptake of unassisted HIVST, non-mandatory reporting of results within the prescribed timeline, and increased operational workload for healthcare workers. The reliance on external procurement partners, such as Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFi) through the Global Fund (GF), due to pending regulatory approval from the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC), also posed logistical constraints.

The project demonstrated the feasibility of integrating HIVST within existing guidelines for the provider-initiated HIV counseling and testing (PICT) and its potential to expand access to HIV screening, particularly in high-risk key population groups with TB coinfection. Future initiatives should focus on regulatory approvals, expanded community-based implementation, and enhanced support for healthcare workers to sustain the model. Pro-ACTHIV serves as a scalable framework for integrating innovative HIV testing strategies into TB-HIV collaborative care.

First Advisor

Diana Dalisay A. Orolfo, RPh, MPH

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