HCV Self-testing in Georgia

Self-testing with easy-to-use rapid diagnostic tests has been successfully used for diseases such as HIV. The availability of self-testing has been shown to increase testing rates and testing acceptability in diverse populations around the world, in large part due to its convenience and privacy advantages.7 Self-testing has also been effectively used to reach key populations who may not be covered by traditional healthcare programs, such as persons who inject drugs (PWID) and men who have sex with men (MSM). In Georgia, HIV self-testing has been offered to MSM through an online platform promoting their uptake.11-12 In the present study aims to evaluate the acceptability and impact of using an online platform to enable home delivery of HCV self-testing in Georgia for PWID and MSM.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years * Able and eligible to access services on selftest.ge * Self-identify as a PWID and or MSM * Living in Batumi or Tbilisi * Able to understand the scope of the study and provide informed consent through online platform. * Able to read and understand Georgian * Unknown HCV serology status (i.e., never tested for HCV or tested HCV ab- in a most recent test performed no later than 6 months before enrolment) Exclusion Criteria: * Self-reported previously confirmed positive HCV status (either Ab or RNA) * Un-eligible for Georgian National Hepatitis Elimination program