Self-testing and self-sampling are novel testing strategies and there has been growing interest across Europe to widen implementation. With the current global COVID-19 pandemic, interest has been rapidly increasing due to service closures and/or restrictions to in-person testing. HIV self-testing has been highlighted by WHO as an effective way to provide modified HIV testing services in the context of COVID-19 while a recent European AIDS Treatment Group web meeting highlighted case examples of effective HIV self-testing pilots. However, there have been expressed interest in gaining more knowledge from countries where HIV self-testing isn’t as well-known, widespread or where there is no established legal framework and the steps taken to address these challenges.

This webinar will present case examples from Lithuania (Asociacija Demetra) and Italy (Arcigay/Lila Milano) where pilot activities were undertaken through the INTEGRATE Joint Action (led by partners at Public Health England) to better understand the HIV self-testing situation in both countries to assess awareness, usability, acceptability, availability and knowledge of self-tests. Findings from their activities will then be presented to key decision makers and implementers to influence change.

INTEGRATE is an EU-funded Joint Action (2017-2021) seeking to increase integrated early diagnosis and linkage to prevention and care of HIV, viral hepatitis, TB and STIs in EU Member States by 2020.

Webinar agenda:

1. Welcome and brief introduction (Lauren Combs, EuroTEST/European Testing Week)
2. Background information
3. Italian pilot (Manuel Maffeo, Arcigay (IT))
4. Lithuanian pilot (Kestutis Rudaitis, Association “Demetra” & “Checkpoint- ŽIV prevencijos centras” (LT)
5. Questions & Answers

Presenter bios:

Mr. Kestutis Rudaitis, Advocacy manager at Association “Demetra” and a consultant at “Checkpoint-testing site/ŽIV prevencijos centras”, focus on MSM target group: counseling and testing, linkage to healthcare; collaborating with national institutions in the HIV field and on international projects.

Dr. Manuel Maffeo, resident in preventive medicine and Public Health at University of Milan. Activist for ARCIGAY for HIV and sexual health; involved in several projects such as INTEGRATE.