Feasibility and acceptability of HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men in Nigeria

HIV self-testing (HIVST) provides an alternative to facility-based HIV testing services, particularly for key populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM), who face barriers to testing due to stigma, discrimination, and criminalization. This brief reports on a study in Nigeria that demonstrates high acceptability for HIVST among MSM. Lessons learned from this study indicate that the scale-up of HIVST in Nigeria must include provision of adequate pre- and post-test counseling information, as well as the availability of helpline support to improve linkage to care for those who test positive. Future research should explore how HIV retesting can be operationalized through HIVST, cost effectiveness of different HIVST distribution models, and strategies for linkage to care