BACKGROUND: In Nigeria, HIV self-testing (HIVST) is still at its nascent stage with low awareness, demand, and uptake in the private sector. Conceptual bundling is the practice of introducing additional product to an existing customer as a single package of offer. it is a common practice in the private sector such as community pharmacies and patent proprietary medicine vendor (PPMV) outlets. To improve the uptake of HIVST in Nigeria, we implemented conceptual bundling of HIVST with sexual and reproductive health (SRH) self-care products.
DESCRIPTION: The Strengthening HIVST in the Private Sector (SHIPS) Project from April – December 2022 piloted implementation of conceptual bundling strategy using SRH products to promote sales of HIVST as additional benefits for potential clients in Abuja, Nigeria. 66 community pharmacies were selected based on the following: membership with pharmacy council of Nigeria, willingness to stock HIVST, and willingness to promote conceptual bundling. We accessed product uptake for SRH commodities, and HIVST product independently, and both products together as a bundle.
LESSONS LEARNED: For the period of implementation, only 7 bundled products were sold (3 HIVST kits with condom and 4 HIVST kits with emergency contraceptives). However, when products were sold independently as either HIVST or SRH, high number of sales were recorded: HIVST (1,974), condoms (172,057), Emergency contraceptives (67,905), and lubricants (10,580).
60% of providers were unwilling to promote conceptual bundling. Providers reported reasons such as low risk perception of client to HIV, stigma, and cost of HIVST. However, 95% of providers reported that clients will be interested to purchase HIVST with another SRH product if physically packaged together, and at a reduced price. Additionally, 80% of pharmacies reported that conceptual bundling helped to increase awareness on HIVST among SRH products users.
CONCLUSIONS: While conceptual bundling helped to improve awareness on HIVST among SRH products users, it failed to promote uptake of HIVST. A physical packaging of HIVST and SRH products together with a price reduction is encouraged to improve uptake of HIVST.

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