'It is not fashionable to suffer nowadays': Community motivations to repeatedly participate in outreach HIV testing indicate UHC potential in Tanzania.

This study examined people's motivations for (repeatedly) utilizing HIV testing services during community-based testing events in urban and rural Shinyanga, Tanzania and potential implications for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). As part of a broader multidisciplinary study on the implementation of a HIV Test and Treat model in Shinyanga Region, Tanzania, this ethnographic study focused on community-based testing campaigns organised by the implementing partner. Between April 2018 and December 2019, we conducted structured observations (24), short questionnaires (42) and in-depth interviews with HIV-positive (23) and HIV-negative clients (8). Observations focused on motivations for (re-)testing, and the counselling and testing process. Thematic analysis based on inductive and deductive coding was completed using NVivo software. Regular HIV testing was encouraged by counsellors. Most participants in testing campaigns were HIV-negative; 51.1% had tested more than once over their lifetimes. Testing campaigns provided an accessible way to learn one's HIV status. Motivations for repeat testing included: monitoring personal health to achieve (temporary) reassurance, having low levels of trust toward sexual partners, feeling at risk, seeking proof of (ill)-health, and acting responsibly. Repeat testers also associated testing with a desire to start treatment early to preserve a healthy-looking body, should they prove HIV positive. Community-based testing campaigns serve three valuable functions related to HIV prevention and treatment: 1) enable community members to check their HIV status regularly as part of a personalized prevention strategy that reinforces responsible behaviour; 2) identify recently sero-converted clients who would not otherwise be targeted; and 3) engage community with general prevention and care messaging and services. This model could be expanded to include routine management of other (chronic) diseases and provide an entry for scaling up UHC.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

The Shinyanga and Simiyu Test & Treat program in Tanzania is funded by Gilead Sciences (USA), contract date June 1st 2016. The Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD) is a co-recipient of this award. All authors were employed under AIGHD’s auspices. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials. The funders did not play an active role in study design, data collection, analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. All authors declare not to have competing interests.