Self-test for HIV infection diagnosis: educational technology development and validity.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Education
• Diagnostic Tools

Background:

• HIV self-testing is a crucial tool for early detection and prevention.
• Educational materials are essential for ensuring accurate self-testing procedures.
• Improving health literacy empowers individuals in managing their health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an educational booklet on HIV self-testing.
• To create a user-friendly guide for performing and interpreting HIV self-tests.
• To enhance public understanding and correct usage of HIV self-testing kits.

Main Methods:

• A four-stage development process: literature review, booklet creation, expert validation, and target audience assessment.
• Utilized the Content Validity Index (CVI) for quantitative analysis.
• Study conducted from February to July 2024.

Main Results:

• The 12-page booklet was validated by 13 experts (CVI=0.92) and 7 participants (CVI=0.95).
• The material demonstrated strong content, appearance, and semantic validity.
• The booklet effectively guides users through HIV self-testing.

Conclusions:

• The booklet "Complete guide to performing the HIV self-test" is a valid educational resource.
• It has the potential to significantly strengthen health literacy regarding HIV self-testing.
• The resource can support counseling and educational initiatives for widespread correct self-test use.