Preferences for oral fluid rapid HIV self-testing among social media-using young black, Hispanic, and white men-who-have-sex-with-men (YMSM): implications for future interventions

Abstract

Objectives We assessed preferences of social media-using young black, Hispanic and white men-who-have-sex-with-men (YMSM) for oral fluid rapid HIV self-testing, as compared with other currently available HIV testing options. We also identified aspects of the oral fluid rapid HIV self-test that might influence preferences for using this test instead of other HIV testing options and determined if consideration of HIV testing costs and the potential future availability of fingerstick rapid HIV self-testing change HIV testing preferences. Study design Anonymous online survey. Methods HIV-uninfected YMSM across the United States recruited from multiple social media platforms completed an online survey about willingness to use, opinions about and their preferences for using oral fluid rapid HIV self-testing and five other currently available HIV testing options. In a pre/post questionnaire format design, participants first indicated their preferences for using the six HIV testing options (pre) before answering questions that asked their experience with and opinions about HIV testing. Although not revealed to participants and not apparent in the phrasing of the questions or responses, the opinion questions concerned aspects of oral fluid rapid HIV self-testing (e.g. its possible advantages/disadvantages, merits/demerits, and barriers/facilitators). Afterward, participants were queried again about their HIV testing preferences (post). After completing these questions, participants were asked to re-indicate their HIV testing preferences when considering they had to pay for HIV testing and if fingerstick blood sample rapid HIV self-testing were an additional testing option. Aspects about the oral fluid rapid HIV self-test associated with influencing increased the preference for using the test (post assessment vs pre-assessment of opinion topics) were identified through multivariable regression models that adjusted for participant characteristics. Results Of the 1975 YMSM participants, the median age was 22 years (IQR 20–23); 19% were black, 36% Hispanic, and 45% white; and 18% previously used an oral fluid rapid HIV self-test. Although views about oral fluid rapid HIV self-testing test were favorable, few intended to use the test. Aspects about the oral fluid rapid HIV self-test associated with an increased preference for using the test were its privacy features, that it motivated getting tested more often or as soon as possible, and that it conferred feelings of more control over one’s sexual health. Preferences for the oral fluid rapid HIV self-test were lower when costs were considered, yet these YMSM were much more interested in fingerstick blood sampling than oral fluid sampling rapid HIV self-testing. Conclusions Despite the perceived advantages of the oral fluid rapid HIV self-test and favorable views about it by this population, prior use as well as future intention in using the test were low. Aspects about oral fluid rapid HIV self-testing identified as influential in this study might assist in intervent...

Variations in Recruitment Yield and Characteristics of Participants Recruited Across Diverse Internet Platforms in an HIV Testing Study of Young Adult Men-Who-Have-Sex-With-Men (YMSM)

“…This investigation was a secondary analysis of enrollment and questionnaire responses from an anonymous, Internet-based survey of Black, Hispanic, and White YMSM recruited across multiple Internet platforms between August 2014 and December 2014. Data were collected as part of a larger parent study of the HIV testing histories and opinions about HIV testing methods of 18- to 24-year-old Black, Hispanic, and White YMSM ( Merchant R. C., 2017 ). The hospital’s institutional review board approved the study.…”

“…This team of researchers recently completed an Internet-based study that aimed to understand YMSM HIV testing history and sexual risk-taking behaviors ( Merchant R. C., 2017 ) HIV-uninfected Black, Hispanic, and White YMSM (18 to 24 year-olds) from across the United States were recruited specifically for that study because they are disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States (US) and collectively form a population for whom interventions are needed to reduce HIV acquisition. The objective of the current investigation reported in this manuscript was to examine the impact of using the multiple Internet platforms chosen for the parent study to recruit these YMSM in regard to recruitment, retention, and participant characteristics.…”

Preferences for HIV testing services among young people in Nigeria

“…This is similar to the findings in Tanzania [30] and India [31], where participants indicated strong preference for finger prick HIVST compared to oral HIVST due to lack of familiarity and concerns of accuracy with oral HIVST. On the contrary, several other studies in SSA (Malawi, Zimbabwe , Mozambique and Kenya ) [15,32,33] and the United States of America [34] have largely reported preference for oral HIVST compared to other conventional HIV testing and finger-prick HIVST among study participants. Oral HIVST was preferred because it was easy to use, does not require blood and painless [15,32].…”

Preferences for HIV testing services among young people in Nigeria

“…This is similar to the findings in Tanzania [26] and India [27], where participants indicated strong preference for finger prick HIVST compared to oral HIVST due to lack of familiarity and concerns of accuracy with oral HIVST. On the contrary, several other studies in SSA (Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Kenya) [15,28,29] and the United States of America [30] have largely reported preference for oral HIVST a b Fig. 2 a Nigerian youth preferences for selected HIV testing services, 2018 (N = 113).…”