Knowledge and awareness of HIV self-testing among Australian gay and bisexual men: a comparison of never, sub-optimal and optimal testers willingness to use

Abstract

This paper explores the willingness to use and pay for HIV Self-testing (HIVST) among Australian gay and bisexual men (GBM). Bivariate and univariate multinominal logistic regression of data from an online survey was performed. Thirty-one (13%) had never HIV tested and 41.9% (88) were testing sub-optimally by Australian guidelines. Half (58.4%, 136) had never heard of HIVST, however, 56.2% (131) reported willingness to use HIVST, with sub-optimal (OR=2.13; p < 0.01) and never-testers (OR=2.01; p < 0.10) significantly more likely to do so than optimal-testers. Most were confident (51.7%, 119) or somewhat confident (29.1%, 67) accessing support following a reactive result, however, never-testers were significantly less confident compared to previous testers (OR=3.47; p< 0.05). Less than a quarter (23.6%, 57) were willing to pay for a kit with AUD$15 (R = 0.9882) the estimated preferred price. This research confirms that HIVST is an important and accepted adjunct to established HIV testing modalities, particularly among sub-optimal and never-testers and that online (61.6%, 143) or clinic-based (61.6%, 143) dissemination are preferred. Research examining how best to disseminate HIVST in a range of safe and effective models needs to continue to ensure HIVST is part of a comprehensive strategy that facilitates usage and linkages to care.

At-home HIV self-testing during COVID: implementing the GetaKit project in Ottawa

“…As well, our results align with the literature on HIV self-testing among first-time testers, with rates of first-time testers ranging up to one third of participants (CDC, 2019;Dean et al, 2019;Clark et al, 2019;Johnson et al, 2020;Greacen et al, 2013). In our study, one quarter of our sample had never done HIV testing before, with over half belonging to HIV priority groups.…”

HIV self-testing in Rwanda: awareness and acceptability among male clinic attendees in Kigali, Rwanda: A cross-sectional survey

“…Other studies that have been carried out in different other settings have given higher rates than the current study. For instance, in Australia, 41.9% of bisexual men were aware of HIVST intervention [49]. In a different study conducted in eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, in 2018, the findings established a higher level of awareness of HIVST (69.9%) [50].…”

Bringing HIV Self-Testing to Scale in the United States: a Review of Challenges, Potential Solutions, and Future Opportunities

“…HIVST has been shown to reach a larger proportion of undertested individuals than CBT. Among gay and bisexual men in Australia, undertested individuals are twice as likely to use HIVST as the general population (41). Data from the MSM Testing Initiative in the United States, which recruited testers online with subsequent delivery of test kits by mail, revealed that HIVST with the Home Access Test System was nearly five times more likely to reach first-time testers than CBT (42).…”

“…Interest in accessing HIVST online was associated with not having been previously tested and not having been tested in the last year (31). In terms of distribution, online orders with home delivery or pickup at a health care facility are equally acceptable methods (41). Online distribution is a common method for promoting HIVST uptake in at-risk populations such as MSM, a natural fit because this group may be more interested in receiving confidential, home-based services (31).…”