HIV SELF-TESTING : FREE TO KNOW YOUR STATUS

Why the ATLAS Project ?

Addressing the challenges of HIV testing

United Nations Global Goal of “90-90-90 » : 90% of people living with HIV know their status by 2020.

To achieve these objectives, it is necessary to remove the barriers to screening and increase its access.

A specific epidemiological context in West and central Africa

Moderate HIV prevalence in the general population with a rate of 1.5%.

A concentrated epidemic : high prevalence and transmission rates among some vulnerable populations.

More than 30% of HIV-positive people do not know their HIV status.

Importance of implementing new screening strategies to reach these specific populations :

  • In a specific socio-cultural context (stigmatization, barriers to demand for HIV testing)
  • To go beyond the key populations already affected by existing programs.

What is the ATLAS project ?

HIV self-testing, a technological and societal innovation 

The ATLAS project promotes HIV self-testing, a diagnostic tool approved by the World Health Organization that should be considered as a complementary method of testing.

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Respond to stigmatization issues. Know your status when you decide to.

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If the test is positive, access confirmatory testing and treatment as soon as possible. If it is negative, access prevention.

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Make people aware of their health. To allow everyone to know their virological status where and when they wish.

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Allow more people to have access to the diagnosis.

This initiative aims to reduce morbidity and mortality due to HIV/AIDS by improving access to HIV self-testing and ensuring an effective link with care.

Project objectives

1

Participate in the introduction and large-scale deployment of HIV self-testing.

2

Diversify distribution channels to reach the project’s target populations, encourage confirmatory testing and treatments.

3

Generate evidence on the outcomes and impact of interventions through scientific studies and promote them.

Key data

3 and a half years of implementation

Funding and support from Unitaid

400,000 self-tests distributed

Close collaboration with our institutional, community and research partners