Preference towards HIV Self-Testing above Other Testing Options in a Sample of Men Who Have Sex with Men from Five European Countries

Hoyos, Juan; Maté, Tomás; Guerras, Juan-Miguel; Donat, Marta; Agustí, Cristina; Kuske, Matthias; Fuertes, Ricardo; Chanos, Sophocles; Pichon, François; Sordo, Luis; Pulido, José; Belza, María-José

doi:10.3390/ijerph18094804

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…In a systematic review of HIVST among key populations, including MSM, eight out of 14 studies reporting on acceptability found high acceptability of HIVST (≥67%), five studies found moderate acceptability (66–34%), and one study found acceptability to be low [ 7 ]. Further, Hoyos et al found HIVST to be the preferred testing option for one-third of an online sample of MSM recruited in five European countries [ 46 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

HIV self-testing for men who have sex with men in Sweden. A cross-sectional study concerning interest to use HIV self-tests

Kinnman

Herder

Björkman

et al. 2022

Global Health Action

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Background HIV self-testing (HIVST) has been found to have high acceptability among men who have sex with men (MSM) internationally and might contribute to increase testing frequencies, but many countries, including Sweden, lack policies for using HIVST. Objective To examine interest to use and willingness to pay for HIVST, and associated factors, among MSM attending HIV testing venues in Sweden. Method This cross-sectional study analyzed data from a self-administered survey, consisting of 33 questions, collected at six HIV testing venues in Sweden in 2018. The sample consisted of sexually active men who have sex with men, aged ≥ 18 years, and not diagnosed with HIV. Data were analyzed descriptively and by univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Result Among 663 participants (median age 33 years), 436 respondents (65.8%) expressed interest to use HIVST. Among those interested, less than half, 205 (47.0%), were willing to pay for HIVST. Being interested in HIVST was found to be negatively associated with being in the 55 years or older age group (AOR 0.31, CI 0.14–0.71), and having had syphilis, rectal chlamydia, or rectal gonorrhea in the preceding 12 months (AOR 0.56, CI 0.32–0.99). In the sample of MSM interested in HIVST, willingness to pay was positively associated with being in the age groups 35–44 years (AOR 2.94, CI 1.40–6.21), 45–54 years (AOR 2.82, CI 1.16–6.90), and 55 years or above (AOR 3.90, CI 1.19–12.81), and negatively associated with being single (AOR 0.56, CI 0.36–0.88). Conclusion This study found high interest for HIVST in a sample of MSM in Sweden. However, HIVST offered at a cost is likely to negatively affect uptake among MSM broadly, compared with free availability.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

HIV self-testing for men who have sex with men in Sweden. A cross-sectional study concerning interest to use HIV self-tests

Kinnman

Herder

Björkman

et al. 2022

Global Health Action

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“…Compared with traditional on-site testing, self-testing offers increased privacy and anonymity and is highly convenient since it does not require appointments or queuing [17]. According to the opinions of MSM recruited in online gay dating websites and apps in Spain, acceptability and potential use of HIV self-testing is high [18] and it is a highly valued option [19]. In fact, several clinical trials also support self-testing's capacity to increase testing frequency among MSM and other highly vulnerable populations [20,21] but there is little real-life data on its capacity to promote testing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge and Prior Use of HIV Self-Testing in Madrid and Barcelona among Men Who Have Sex with Men More than One Year after Its Legal Authorization in Spain

Guerras

Belza

Fuster

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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This study assessed the knowledge and prior use of HIV self-testing in a sample of men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited in a sexual health clinic and two community-based testing sites in Madrid and Barcelona, >12 months after its legal authorization. Between March 2019 and December 2020, we recruited 2044 MSM. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire while waiting to be tested for HIV and other STIs. We built two Poisson regression models to assess factors associated with prior knowledge and with use. Among those who had used self-testing in the past we assessed frequency of use and several aspects related to the last testing episode. The proportion of participants that knew about the existence of self-testing and had already used it was of 26.3% and 5.1% respectively. Both, knowledge and use were independently associated with being born in Spain or other western European countries, university education and more recent HIV testing. Additionally, knowledge was associated with older age, having a more favorable economic situation, and not living sexuality in total secrecy. Use was also associated with having received money in exchange for sex. Most (69.5%) reported having self-tested once, 64.8% had self-tested <12 months ago, 63.8% self-tested alone and 71.4% acquired the kit at a pharmacy over the counter. In spite of its authorization and becoming legally available, knowledge and use of HIV self-testing remain low among MSM attending sites specialized in the diagnosis of HIV and other STIs. When designing scale-up strategies, lower levels of knowledge and use in less favored subgroups of MSM need to be factored in.

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“…Thirty-three studies identified home-based self-testing or self-sampling as the preferred method of testing [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 26 , 29 , 31 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ] ( Table 2 ). Three randomised controlled trials (RCT) found that HIVST increased testing frequency, and therefore was preferred by MSM compared to usual testing [ 17 , 21 , 54 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Eight studies identified that free/low-cost testing was an important consideration for MSM [ 17 , 18 , 26 , 42 , 50 , 55 , 56 , 71 ]. A mixed-method study exploring the acceptability of self-testing in the UK used data collected from self-completed questionnaires and oral fluid specimen collections of 999 MSM and conducted 12 expert focus groups with MSM, health professionals, community organisations, entrepreneurs and activists [ 49 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It was noted that services should ideally offer a variety of options to appeal to subpopulations of MSM. Cost was a key component, with cheaper or free options having a significant impact on the services MSM would access and how regularly they get tested [ 17 , 18 , 42 , 50 , 55 , 56 , 71 ]. Identifying the type of testing most suitable to individuals by taking these preferences into consideration early on would likely greatly impact MSM returning for regular testing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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HIV and STI Testing Preferences for Men Who Have Sex with Men in High-Income Countries: A Scoping Review

Kularadhan

Gan

Chow

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background: Regular testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) is recommended at least annually for sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM) in most high-income countries. To encourage regular use of HIV and STI testing and treatment services for MSM, we reviewed the literature to summarise the attributes of an HIV/STI testing service that MSM prefer. Method: We conducted a scoping review, searching PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL in January 2020 for articles reporting primary data on the preferences of MSM (living in high-income countries) for HIV/STI testing services. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts and any discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer. We extracted data on the service attributes that MSM preferred and summarised these thematically using a socioecological framework. Results: In total, 1464 publications were identified, 220 full texts were read and 57 were included in the final analysis. We found 21 articles addressing ‘individual’ attributes, 50 articles addressing ‘service’ attributes and 17 articles addressing ‘societal’ attributes. The key themes of preferences for HIV/STI testing services were: (1) the appeal of self-testing due to convenience and privacy; (2) the need to provide a variety of testing options; and (3) the influence of the testing experience, including confidentiality and privacy, tester characteristics and stigma. There were distinct patterns of preferences for subpopulations of MSM across studies, such as the preference of self-testing for young MSM, and of in-clinic testing for those who perceived themselves as high risk (i.e., with symptoms of STIs or exposed to a partner living with HIV). Conclusion: To make HIV/STI testing more accessible for MSM and encourage regular screening, it is important to address ‘individual’, ‘service’ and ‘societal’ attributes, such as enhancing the convenience of testing through self-testing, and providing a service that men feel comfortable and safe accessing. Furthermore, services should accommodate the preferences of diverse sub-populations within the MSM community.

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Preference towards HIV Self-Testing above Other Testing Options in a Sample of Men Who Have Sex with Men from Five European Countries

Cited by 7 publications

References 32 publications

HIV self-testing for men who have sex with men in Sweden. A cross-sectional study concerning interest to use HIV self-tests

HIV self-testing for men who have sex with men in Sweden. A cross-sectional study concerning interest to use HIV self-tests

Knowledge and Prior Use of HIV Self-Testing in Madrid and Barcelona among Men Who Have Sex with Men More than One Year after Its Legal Authorization in Spain

HIV and STI Testing Preferences for Men Who Have Sex with Men in High-Income Countries: A Scoping Review

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