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Abstract Innovative strategies such as HIV self-testing (HIVST) are useful for identifying hard-to-reach people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), especially in developing settings where considerable gaps still exist in reaching the first 95% UNAIDS target. We evaluated the effectiveness of HIVST in Cameroon using several distribution models and investigated the predictors of HIV seropositivity among self-testers. The study was conducted from 2021 to 2022 in three regions in Cameroon. HIVST kits were distributed according to 5 distribution models: antenatal, postnatal, maternal and child clinics (ANC/PNC/MCH); partners of PLHIV; workplace; community and HIV-testing services (HTS). Overall, 42,687 people received oral HIVST kits, among whom 15.6% were HIV first-testers. Approximately 85% reported on the test outcome; 2.3% (n = 825) were reactive, and 75.8% came for test confirmation. After the confirmation test, a concordance of 85% was found with the national algorithm. Overall, the HIV seroprevalence was 1.5% [95% CI: 1.4–1.6]; ANC/PNC/MCHC: 1.9%, partners of PLHIV: 6.9%, workplace: 0.5%, community: 0.1% and HTS: 7.0%, p

Mortality in children accounts for 15% of all AIDS-related deaths globally, with a higher burden among Cameroonian children (25%), likely driven by poor virological response. We sought to evaluate viral suppression (VS) and its determinants in a nationally representative paediatric and young adult population receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). A cross-sectional and multicentric study was conducted among Cameroonian children (p < 0.001. VS was 85.1% on a DTG-based regimen versus 80.0% on efavirenz/nevirapine and 65.6% on lopinavir/ritonavir or atazanavir/ritonavir. VS was higher in females versus males (85.8% versus 78.2%, p < 0.001). The VS rate remained stable around 85% at 12 and 24 months but dropped to about 80% at 36 months after ART initiation, p < 0.009. Independent predictors of non-VS were younger age, longer ART duration (>36 months), backbone drug (non-TDF/3TC) and anchor drug (non-DTG based). In this Cameroonian paediatric population with varying levels of transition to DTG, overall VS remains below the 95% targets. Predictors of non-VS are younger age, non-TDF/3TC- and non-DTG-based regimens. Thus, efforts toward eliminating paediatric AIDS should prioritise the transition to a DTG-based regimen in this new ART era.