Online HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) Dissemination by an Australian Community Peer HIV Organisation: A Scalable Way to Increase Access to Testing, Particularly for Suboptimal Testers

Abstract

HIV self-testing (HIVST) introduces opportunities for screening in non-conventional settings, and addresses known testing barriers. This study involved the development and evaluation of a free online HIVST dissemination service hosted by a peer-led, community-based organisation with on-site, peer-facilitated HIV testing, and established referral and support programs for people newly diagnosed with HIV to determine whether this model was feasible and acceptable for engaging MSM, particularly among infrequent and naive HIV-testers, or those living in remote and rural areas. Between December 2016 and April 2018, 927 kits were ordered by 794 individuals, the majority of whom were men who have sex with men (MSM) (62%; 494), having condomless sex (50%; 392), or living outside a major city (38%; 305). Very few (5%; 39) sought the available pre-test peer contact, despite 45% (353) being naive HIV-testers. This study demonstrates that online HIVST dissemination is acceptable and feasible for engaging at-risk suboptimal testers, including those unwilling to test elsewhere (19%; 47/225). With half (50%; 403) unwilling to buy a kit, our study suggests that HIVST will need to be subsidized (cost-neutral to users) to enhance population coverage and access.

Implementation of a campus-based and peer-delivered HIV self-testing intervention to improve the uptake of HIV testing services among university students in Zimbabwe: the SAYS initiative

“…Effective HIVST interventions require subsidization or external funding to sustain population access and coverage [ 50 ]. The sustainability of the program requires additional research studies and a consistent supply of kits.…”

Performance of an artificial intelligence-based smartphone app for guided reading of SARS-CoV-2 lateral-flow immunoassays

“…Tiraspot system is composed of (1) a mobile app for test digitization and result recording, (2) an AI model for RDT result interpretation and (3) a web platform where all collected data can be visualized and allows for result corrections in the cases in which a discrepancy exists between AI and user interpretation.…”

“…The use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), both for detection of antibodies and antigens, has contributed to improve COVID-19 testing capacity reducing costs of diagnosis and allowing for fastest results (1). First, COVID-19 RDTs were intended to be used just by professional healthworkers, who have extensive experience in the use of this tool for different infectious diseases (2, 3). Later, multiple Health Ministries have approved home testing kits improving the accessibility to testing and taking pressure off from health institutions.…”

Determinants and acceptability of HIV self-testing among vulnerable groups in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review protocol

“…Additionally, while it is true that individuals in private perform HIVST and there is no inherent requirement for individuals to report their test results to an authority, strategies can be implemented to encourage voluntary reporting of these results 36. For instance, digital HIVST kits or interfaces offering online result reporting options could facilitate this process 38. Alternatively, follow-up services linked to HIVST, such as counselling or confirmatory testing, also present opportunities for data collection 30.…”