Monetary incentives and peer referral in promoting digital network-based secondary distribution of HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men in China: study protocol for a three-arm randomized controlled trial

Lü, Ying; Ni, Yuxin; Li, Xiaofeng; He, Xi; Huang, Shanzi; Zhou, Yi; Dai, Weiyu; Wu, Dan; Tucker, Joseph D.; Shen, Guangquan; Sha, Yongjie; Jiang, Hongbo; Huang, Liqun; Tang, Weiming

doi:10.1186/s12889-020-09048-y

Cited by 26 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(18 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The dataset was derived from a three-arm randomized control trial of HIVST secondary distribution in Zhuhai, China (19). In this trail, 309 MSM were recruited as indexes and randomly assigned to the control group (standard secondary distribution arm), the intervention I group (secondary distribution with monetary incentives arm), or the intervention II group (secondary distribution with monetary incentives plus peer referral).…”

Section: Data Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Using data collected from previous studies (19), we proposed a novel ensemble machine learning approach (Figure 1) to identify key influencers for secondary distribution of HIVST kits where indexes applied for testing kits for distribution while alters were those who received these kits. Specifically, our machine learning models were trained to obey such three rules in order to identify key influencers: key-distribution influencers (i.e., key distributors) who are more likely to distribute kits to as many alters as possible (e.g., no fewer than two kits in ten months); key-promotion influencers (i.e., key promoters) who contribute to promoting first-time testing among alters; key-detection influencers (i.e., key detectors) who distribute kits to alters who are undiagnosed people living with HIV (PLWH).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Identification of Key Influencers for Secondary Distribution of HIV Self-Testing among Chinese MSM: A Machine Learning Approach

Jing

Yang

Zhou

et al. 2021

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background. HIV self-testing (HIVST) has been rapidly scaled up and additional strategies further expand testing uptake. Secondary distribution has people (indexes) apply for multiple kits and pass these kits to people (alters) in their social networks. However, identifying key influencers is difficult. This study aimed to develop an innovative ensemble machine learning approach to identify key influencers among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) for HIVST secondary distribution. Method. We defined three types of key influencers: 1) key distributors who can distribute more kits; 2) key promoters who can contribute to finding first-time testing alters; 3) key detectors who can help to find positive alters. Four machine learning models (logistic regression, support vector machine, decision tree, random forest) were trained to identify key influencers. An ensemble learning algorithm was adopted to combine these four models. Simulation experiments were run to validate our approach. Results. 309 indexes distributed kits to 269 alters. Our approach outperformed human identification (self-reported scales cut-off), exceeding by an average accuracy of 11.0%, could distribute 18.2% (95%CI: 9.9%-26.5%) more kits, find 13.6% (95%CI: 1.9%-25.3%) more first-time testing alters and 12.0% (95%CI: -14.7%-38.7%) more positive-testing alters. Our approach could also increase simulated intervention efficiency by 17.7% (95%CI: -3.5%-38.8%) than human identification. Conclusion. We built machine learning models to identify key influencers among Chinese MSM who were more likely to engage in HIVST secondary distribution.

show abstract

Section: Data Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of Key Influencers for Secondary Distribution of HIV Self-Testing among Chinese MSM: A Machine Learning Approach

Jing

Yang

Zhou

et al. 2021

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…We conducted a quasi-experimental study among MSM in Guangzhou, China that sought to promote male partner testing through social network-based distribution of HIV self-test (HIVST) kits in a cohort study, where participants were offered HIV self-test kits and asked to distribute kits to their social network contacts [22]. MSM were recruited from May 2019 to December 2019 through a social media account run for MSM-centric studies via posts within the account, and through an MSM-friendly clinic at the Guangdong Provincial Center for Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Control via approaching participants who came for STI testing.…”

Section: Study Design and Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blocking and Being Blocked on Gay Dating Apps Among MSM Attending a Sexual Health Clinic: An Observational Study

Kumar

Forastiere

Janmohamed

et al. 2021

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: While studies on blocking, a behavior on dating apps, and men who have sex with men (MSM) health outcomes have been conducted in other nations, albeit limited and mostly using qualitative techniques, no such study has been conducted in China, de-spite its large MSM population and relationship between Chinese MSM gay app use and health outcomes. We studied the correlates of blocking on the world’s largest gay dating app among Chinese MSM (N=208). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey as part of an HIV testing intervention in Guangzhou, China, May - December 2019. Using logistic regression models, we estimated the cor- relates of blocking. Results: MSM had a mean age of 27. years (SD=7.1) and median of sexual partner in the last three months. About 62% had blocked someone in their lifetime and 46% had been blocked in their lifetime. Each additional male partner was associated with an 87% (aOR=1.87, 95%CI= 1.03, 3.40) increased chance of being blocked.Conclusions: Number of male partners may be associated with blocking behavior, with implications for the design of online sexual health interventions.

show abstract

“…Social network distribution can be an effective syphilis self-testing distribution strategy to expand syphilis testing and to reach high-risk populations with undiagnosed syphilis. This strategy allows participants (defined as indexes) to apply for multiple self-testing kits and distribute to their peers (sexual partners or non-sexual partners, defined as alters) within their social network [ 11 , 12 ]. Social network distribution has been widely used for sexual partner notification with notification cards, which helps contain the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social network distribution of syphilis self-testing among men who have sex with men in China: study protocol for a cluster randomized control trial

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Syphilis is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) among men who have sex with men (MSM). Increasing syphilis testing is important to syphilis control. However, in low- and middle-income countries like China, syphilis testing rates remain low among MSM. We describe a randomized controlled trial protocol to examine the effectiveness of social network distribution approaches of syphilis self-testing among MSM in China. Methods We will recruit index and alter MSM. Indexes will be eligible if they: are born biologically male; aged 18 years or above; ever had sex with another man; are willing to distribute syphilis testing packages or referral links to their alters; and willing to provide personal contact information for future follow-up. Three hundred MSM will be recruited and randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio into three arms: standard of care (control arm); standard syphilis self-testing (SST) delivery arm; and referral link SST delivery arm. Indexes will distribute SST packages or referral links to encourage alters to receive syphilis testing. All indexes will complete a baseline survey and a 3-month follow-up survey. Syphilis self-test results will be determined by photo verification via a digital platform. The primary outcome is the mean number of alters who returned verified syphilis testing results per index in each arm. Discussion The trial findings will provide practical implications in strengthening syphilis self-testing distribution and increasing syphilis testing uptake among MSM in China. This study also empowers MSM community in expanding syphilis testing by using their own social network. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000036988. Registered 26 August 2020 - Retrospectively registered.

show abstract

Monetary incentives and peer referral in promoting digital network-based secondary distribution of HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men in China: study protocol for a three-arm randomized controlled trial

Cited by 26 publications

References 18 publications

Identification of Key Influencers for Secondary Distribution of HIV Self-Testing among Chinese MSM: A Machine Learning Approach

Identification of Key Influencers for Secondary Distribution of HIV Self-Testing among Chinese MSM: A Machine Learning Approach

Blocking and Being Blocked on Gay Dating Apps Among MSM Attending a Sexual Health Clinic: An Observational Study

Social network distribution of syphilis self-testing among men who have sex with men in China: study protocol for a cluster randomized control trial

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About