title: HIV self-testing among key populations: an implementation science approach to evaluating self-testing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review methods for measuring HIV self-testing (HIVST) among key populations, including both conventional approaches and implementation science approaches.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the literature on evaluating HIVST among key populations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Simple HIV self-tests have already entered markets in several regions, but metrics required to demonstrate the benefits and costs of HIVST remain simplistic. Conventional measurements of sensitivity, specificity, acceptability, and behavioural preferences must be supplemented with richer implementation science measurement tools and innovative research designs in order to capture data on the following components: how self-testing affects subsequent linkage to confirmatory testing, preventive services and onward steps in the HIV continuum of care; how self-testing can be marketed to reach untested subpopulations; and how self-testing can be sustained based on overarching organisational and financial models. We outline an implementation science research agenda that incorporates these components, drawing from evaluation study designs focused on HIVST and testing in general.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIVST holds great promise for key populations, but must be guided by implementation research to inform programmes and scale up.
authors.affiliation: UNC Project China, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Joseph D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.affiliation: Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA.
authors.forename: Chongyi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA.
authors.forename: Razia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pendse
authors.affiliation: HIV AIDS Unit, Department of Communicable Diseases, World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Ying-Ru
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Lo
keywords: HIV; evaluation; implementation science; metric; self-testing; testing