ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPTABILITY OF HIV ORAL SELF TEST KITS IN IBADAN SOUTH-WEST

The global burden of HIV remains a major public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where Nigeria ranks among the countries with the highest number of infections. Despite the availability of traditional HIV testing services, stigma, limited accessibility, and fear of disclosure continue to deter individuals from seeking early diagnosis. HIV oral self-test kits (HIVST) provide a promising, convenient, and private alternative, yet their widespread adoption is hindered by varying levels of knowledge and acceptability across populations. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and acceptability of HIV oral self-test kits among residents of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area in Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it sought to determine HIV prevalence among willing participants, evaluate their knowledge about the self-test kits, and identify factors influencing acceptability. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and practical demonstrations with HIVST kits. A total of 200 participants were surveyed, with 150 consenting to take the test. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, and Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge levels. Findings revealed a low HIV prevalence of 1.3% among participants who took the test. Although 58% had heard of HIVST kits, only 24.5% understood how the kits work, and 9% demonstrated good knowledge. Female, younger, and more educated participants exhibited higher knowledge and acceptability levels. Factors such as fear of a positive result (27%) and test cost (14%) were major barriers to acceptability. Significant associations were observed between knowledge and variables such as age, gender, income, and education (p < 0.05). In conclusion, while the acceptability of HIVST is relatively high, knowledge remains moderate to low. Enhanced public health education, subsidized kits, and community-based awareness campaigns are recommended to improve uptake and bridge knowledge gaps.