Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to be the hub of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, globally. Despite several attempts to meet their HIV prevention needs, men continue to have high rates of HIV infection.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective treatment that, when taken as prescribed, can be very efficient in preventing and reducing the risk of HIV acquisition. HIV self-testing (HIVST) has been demonstrated to be acceptable among men in SSA.
As such, this review aims to explore the existing literature on the integration of PrEP dispensing with HIVST among men in SSA. Methods We will systematically search bibliometric databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus, Sociological Abstracts, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses global.
Our review will be guided by the Arskey and O'Malley framework and Levac et al. The review results will be reported using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis: extension for scoping reviews guidelines.
To assess the methodological quality of the included articles, the mixed methods appraisal tool version 2018 will be used.
BMJ Open published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 03 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on Integration of PrEP dispensing with HIV self-testing among heterosexual men in Sub-Saharan Africa: protocol for a scoping review.
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