Serge Tonen-Wolyec
Ecole Doctorale Régionale d’Afrique Centrale en Infectiologie Tropicale, Franceville, Gabon;Faculty of Medicine, University of Bunia, Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo
Francois-Xavier Mbopi-Kéou
University of Yaoundé I, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Yaoundé, Cameroon;The Institute for the Development of Africa (The-IDA), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Salomon Batina-Agasa
Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo
Ginette Claude Mireille Kalla
University of Yaoundé I, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Yaoundé, Cameroon;The Institute for the Development of Africa (The-IDA), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Michel Noubom
The Institute for the Development of Africa (The-IDA), Yaoundé, Cameroon; University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
Ralph-Sydney Mboumba Bouassa
Ecole Doctorale Régionale d’Afrique Centrale en Infectiologie Tropicale, Franceville, Gabon;Laboratory of Virology, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou and University of Paris Descartes, Paris, France
Jean De Dieu Longo
Centre National de Référence des Maladies Sexuellement Transmissibles et de la Thérapie Antirétrovirale, Bangui, Central African Republic; Unité de Recherches et d’Intervention sur les Maladies Sexuellement Transmissibles et le SIDA, Département de Santé Publique, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé de Bangui, Central African Republic,
Jérémie Muwonga
National AIDS and STI Control Program’s Reference Laboratory, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Abstract
Introduction: the empowerment of young people aged 15-24 years is a key component of an effective AIDS response. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is
progressively being implemented in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Methods: socio-demographic and behavioural factors associated with
acceptability of HIVST were evaluated among university students in Bunia, DRC. A representative cross-sectional study was conducted using a selfadministered semi-structured questionnaire. Results: a total of 1,012 students were recruited. Acceptability of unsupervised HIVST was higher in
the group of young students as compared with older students and was markedly associated with prior knowledge on HIVST. Conclusion: adapted
communication about HIVST appears likely essential to increase the supply and use of HIVST among students in DRC.
