BIOMETRIC FINGERPRINT TECHNOLOGY FOR ESTIMATING FREQUENT HIV TESTING AND HIV INCIDENCE AMONG MOBILE MEN AND WOMEN IN FISHING COMMUNITIES ALONG LAKE VICTORIA, UGANDA

Abstract

Background: HIV/AIDS remains a major global health burden, and albeit declines in infections observed in more recent time, key populations account for most of the new infections. Recommendations such as “test and treat” and “frequent testing” as prevention, can help combat HIV. Nonetheless, there are research gaps on the uptake of these services among mobile individuals in fishing sites. This study assessed the plausibility of applying novel fingerprint technologies to estimate HIV frequent testing among mobile fisherfolks in Uganda. Conclusion: The proposed fingerprint approach showed plausible results, indicating that relatively low proportion of fisherfolks meet the recommended HIV frequent testing target amidst a high incidence of HIV. To end the HIV epidemic by 2030, novel technologies such as fingerprint technology are needed during HIV testing campaigns in high risk and mobile populations to inform existing efforts to improve access to testing.