scholarly journals HIV Self-Testing Increases HIV Testing Frequency in High-Risk Men Who Have Sex With Men

2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 505-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Katz ◽  
Matthew R. Golden ◽  
James P. Hughes ◽  
Carey Farquhar ◽  
Joanne D. Stekler
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xia Jin ◽  
Zhenxing Chu ◽  
Xiangjun Zhang ◽  
Tianyi Lu ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Men who have sex with men (MSM) have high HIV incidence and prevalence burdens but relatively low HIV testing rates. Literature showed insufficient evidence on the efficacy of Social media (WeChat) based HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits distribution approaches among MSM and their sexual partners. OBJECTIVE This study evaluated an Social media (WeChat) based HIVST distribution intervention in increasing HIV testing uptake among MSM and their sexual partners in China. METHODS The study used a 12-month stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial design and an online survey mode. MSM who were HIV-negative or with unknown HIV status were recruited through social media marketing and outreaches by community opinion leaders between August and December 2018 in Shenyang, Beijing, Chongqing, and Shenzhen. Participants were randomly allocated to four groups, which were intervened by sequence. The intervention group received free HIVST kits on top of the control condition that participants received standard education and care. Participants were followed up from January to December 2019. Generalized linear models were used to assess HIV testing coverage and frequency difference between the intervention and the control stage. RESULTS Each group enrolled 140 eligible MSM with a total of 560 participants. Twelve participants were diagnosed with HIV infections, and 4 of them were in the follow-up period. Participants in the intervention stage were nine times likely to receive an HIV test than in the control stage (85.6% vs. 39.2%, risk ratio [RR]=9.21, 95%CI 5.92~14.33). The intervention also increased participants’ HIV testing frequency (1.48 vs. 0.59 times, risk difference [RD]=0.89, 95%CI 0.82~0.96). Moreover, the intervention increased HIV testing proportion (49.0% vs. 30.1%, RR=2.23, 95%CI 1.46~3.40) and mean HIV testing frequency (0.69 vs. 0.35 times, RD=0.26, 95%CI 0.15~0.38) among participants sexual partners who received HIVST through secondary distribution. CONCLUSIONS An Social media (WeChat) based HIVST distribution intervention effectively increased HIV testing coverage and frequency in MSM and their sexual partners. Future programs could apply this approach in HIV education and testing efforts to reduce HIV incidence. CLINICALTRIAL This study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trials website (http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx) with the registration tracking number of ChiCTR1800019453 on November 12, 2018. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/17788


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongquan Liu ◽  
Yang Chen ◽  
Tingting Yao ◽  
Tiantian Zhang ◽  
Desheng Song ◽  
...  

Abstracts Background In recent years, HIV testing has become one of the effective strategies to reduce the risk of the infection. Frequent quarterly HIV testing can be cost effective. Therefore, an in-depth study of factors related to the testing behavior of men who have sex with men (MSM) were analyzed to optimize intervention strategies. Methods From March 2011 to October 2018, the project was implemented in a Tianjin (China) bathhouse, and 5165 MSM were surveyed using snowball sampling. Factors related to HIV testing behavior were analyzed by ordinal logistic regression analysis after grouping according to testing frequency, and comprehensive analysis was performed. Results The multivariate logistic analysis showed that 6 variables including young MSM (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.49–0.92, p = 0.01), low-educated MSM (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.48–0.77, p < 0.0001), low HIV/AIDS knowledge (95% CI: 0.57–0.83, p < 0.0001), marital status (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.07–1.57, p = 0.007), acceptance of condom promotion and distribution (OR = 14.52, 95% CI: 12.04–17.51, p < 0.0001), and frequency of condom use (p < 0.05) could link to HIV testing behaviors. Conclusions In order to achieve the 95–95-95 goal, target publicity, HIV/AIDS education and promotion of HIV self-testing kits should be carried out to encourage frequent HIV testing among MSM who are young (especially students), married to women, poorly educated and who are reluctant to always use condoms.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiming Tang ◽  
Wenting Huang ◽  
Haidong Lu ◽  
Bolin Cao ◽  
Dan Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a promising approach to expand HIV testing. HIVST is a process in which a person performs an HIV test and interprets the result. Negative HIVST results may encourage men who have sex with men (MSM) to use HIV prevention services. The objective of this study was to examine behaviors (e.g., facility-based HIV testing, condom use) after a negative HIVST test result among Chinese MSM. Methods We collected data from MSM in eight Chinese cities over a 12-month period. This is a secondary analysis of longitudinal cohort data collected as part of an intervention trial to increase HIV testing. Men completed a survey that described sociodemographic information, sexual behaviors, HIV self-testing, and facility-based HIV testing. Men who completed at least one follow-up survey were included in this analysis. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate whether HIVST increased subsequent facility-based HIV testing and consistent condom use. Results We included 1219 men. Most men (78.7%) were under 30 years old and had never been married (87.0%). 755 (61.9%) men tested for HIV and 593 (49.3%) men self-tested during the study period. At baseline, among men who had never been tested for HIV, 44.9% (314/699) initiated HIVST during the study period. HIVST was associated with subsequent facility-based testing (aOR of 1.87, 95% CI: 1.47–2.37). HIVST was also associated with subsequent consistent condom use (aOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.13–2.06). Conclusion HIVST was associated with subsequent facility-based HIV testing and consistent condom use. HIVST may enhance uptake of related HIV prevention services at facilities, suggesting the need for more implementation research.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (25) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison E Brown ◽  
Hamish Mohammed ◽  
Dana Ogaz ◽  
Peter D Kirwan ◽  
Mandy Yung ◽  
...  

Since October 2015 up to September 2016, HIV diagnoses fell by 32% compared with October 2014–September 2015 among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending selected London sexual health clinics. This coincided with high HIV testing volumes and rapid initiation of treatment on diagnosis. The fall was most apparent in new HIV testers. Intensified testing of high-risk populations, combined with immediately received anti-retroviral therapy and a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programme, may make elimination of HIV achievable.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S595-S595
Author(s):  
Hampton Ocon ◽  
Samir Sabbag

Abstract Background According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Miami-Dade County has the highest rate of new HIV diagnoses in the Nation. So far, a large focus of public health initiatives has been spreading awareness of HIV testing locations, but this form of voluntary testing relies on individuals realizing that they are at risk of HIV infection in the first place. Consequently, a major obstacle to encouraging young men-who-have-sex-with-men (YMSM) to test themselves for HIV is their own self-perceived risk of having an undetected infection. Methods In an effort to better understand the discordance between high-risk sexual behavior and HIV testing among this high-risk population, YMSM (18–24) were surveyed through smartphone applications that facilitate sexual encounters in the Miami-Dade area (eg Grindr, Scruff). Users were asked about their history of condomless anal intercourse (CAI), their HIV testing habits, and whether or not they believe it possible that they are currently infected with HIV. An analysis of the relationship between CAI and self-perception of possible HIV infection was performed using Cochran-Mantel–Haenszel testing. Results Of the 843 eligible responses, 667 reported a history of voluntary HIV testing while 176 had never voluntarily tested. 726 respondents reported a history of CAI and 131 of these have never voluntarily tested. Of the 843 total participants, 1.6% were in the highest HIV risk group, which is those who have engaged in CAI with an exchange/casual partner, have never voluntarily tested for HIV, and have no self-perceived risk of being currently infected. According to data analysis, YMSM who have engaged in CAI but have never been tested for HIV were not more likely to have a self-perceived possibility of infection when compared with those who have voluntarily tested (P < 0.595). Conclusion This suggests that many high-risk YMSM are not voluntarily testing themselves for HIV not because they do not have access to testing, but rather because they do not perceive themselves as being possibly infected in the first place. Therefore, in addition to increasing access to HIV testing, new public health initiatives must be designed to facilitate YMSM understanding their own personal HIV risk. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2020 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2020-054623
Author(s):  
Rayner Kay Jin Tan ◽  
Yin Ying Chan ◽  
Muhamad Alif Bin Ibrahim ◽  
Lai Peng Ho ◽  
Oliver Zikai Lim ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThis study draws on qualitative insights on the barriers and facilitators to HIV testing, as well as perceptions of HIV self-testing (HIVST), to propose a framework to understand not only the benefits but also potential knock-on implications of introducing HIVST in the context of other STI testing.MethodsWe conducted semistructured, in-depth interviews with 30 gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men aged 18 and 39 years old in Singapore. Interview topics included barriers and facilitators to HIV and other STI testing, as well as perceptions of HIVST. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded and analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsFor HIV testing, participants cited the perceived risk of acquiring, susceptibility to and symptoms of HIV as internal motivators, while social influence and accessibility of HIV testing services were external motivators. For STI testing, perceived symptoms and partner notification of STI were reported as internal and external motivators, respectively. Availability of bundle tests, starting a new relationship and instances of mandatory testing motivated both simultaneous HIV and other STI testing. The fear of a positive diagnosis and lack of confidentiality were cited as internal and external barriers to HIV testing, respectively, while low perceived severity of other STI and the cost of STI tests were cited as internal and external barriers to other STI testing, respectively. We identified pathways to HIV and other STI testing and discussed how the introduction of HIVST may reduce opportunities for other STI testing.ConclusionsThe findings of this study suggest that introducing HIVST might weaken linkages to other STI testing if alternative strategies of promoting other STI testing are not simultaneously implemented. We recommend that future interventions address both the risks of HIV and other STI simultaneously, and that structural interventions promoting HIV and other STI preventions be balanced accordingly.


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