Despite decades of progress, an estimated 16% of people living with HIV globally do not know their status. And with COVID-19, access to HIV testing and treatment services have substantially declined. HIV self-testing (HIVST) can be a critical tool to address this gap.
Offering a discreet and convenient way to test, HIVST has rapidly become a standard approach to HIV diagnosis, particularly in many high burden settings, in order to reach people from key population groups globally—during and beyond the pandemic.
The STAR Initiative has been implementing and rapidly scaling-up evidence-based HIVST approaches worldwide. Operating in 13 countries across Africa and Asia, the STAR Initiative has reduced the number of new HIV infections and averted deaths due to HIV by increasing demand and access to HIVST with linkage to treatment and prevention services.