Fig 1. Instructions for use of the Exacto^® Test HIV (Biosynex) self-test designed for the Congolese general public using typical pictures representative of the principal steps of the manufacturer’s instructions with explanations written in Swahili, the most frequently used vernacular language of the former Province Orientale of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Other available languages were French and Lingala. A. Identification of the components: Ⓐ Bag, Ⓑ Test cassette, Ⓒ Diluent vial, Ⓓ Disinfectant wipe, Ⓔ Compression swab, Ⓕ Lancet, Ⓖ Sampler stick, Ⓗ Dressing. B. Performing the self-test: 1. Wash your hands; 2. Take the self-test out of the bag Ⓐ; 3. Open the diluent vial Ⓒ; 4. Disinfect the chosen fingertip with the disinfectant wipe Ⓓ; 5. Wipe off residual alcohol with the compression swab Ⓔ; 6. Apply the lancet Ⓕ on the chosen fingertip and push the other tip to sting; 7. Press gently on the fingertip to obtain a drop of blood; 8. Place in contact the drop of blood with the sampler stick Ⓖ until the inverted cup becomes full; 9. Check that the sampler tip Ⓖ is filled with blood; 10. Place the blood into the SQUARE well BLOOD of the test cassette Ⓑ; 11. Shed two drops of diluent in the ROUND well DILUENT of the test cassette Ⓑ; 12. Wait exactly 10 minutes before reading the result.