Providing HIV testing in men who have sex with men through a gay social networking app in China: A qualitative interview study with multisectoral service providers

Zhao, Tianming; Cao, Zhaobing; Jiang, Zhen; Bulloch, Gabriella; Qiu, Yanchao; Liu, Lihua; Wang, Lijing; Li, Yingxia; Jia, Ce; Guo, Li; Wu, Zunyou

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.1056720

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 43 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The Chinese CDC has been cooperating with social app since 2013 with the operation of adding HIV testing sites in Beijing, which served approximately 700 MSM per month in 2017 [ 20 ]. In 2015, online campaigns were launched, with the testing volume increasing sharply, representing 10 times (2016) and 12 times (2017) the average number of annual tests received during 2013–2014 in Beijing [ 21 ]. Guangxi AIDS Conquering Project (GACP) in 2010 also greatly expanded access to HIV testing and ART [ 22 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Associated With Delayed and Late Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy Among Patients With HIV in Beijing, China, 2010–2020

Mi¹,

Zhou²,

Zeng³

et al. 2023

Int J Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives: To determine factors associated with late and delayed antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in China and provide evidence for HIV prevention.Methods: Logistics regression model was used to determine factors associated with three outcomes: late (CD4 cell count <200 cells/µL or clinical AIDS diagnosis prior to ART initiation), delayed (more than 1 month between HIV diagnosis date and ART initiation) and either late or delayed ART initiation.Results: Multivariable analysis revealed that male, heterosexual, HIV diagnosis before 2014, HBV/HCV seropositive, and tuberculosis were associated with increased odds of all three outcomes. Conversely, married or cohabiting patients were less likely to have delayed ART initiation and either late or delayed ART initiation, while people who inject drugs were more likely to have these two outcomes. Additionally, older age was associated with an increased risk of having either late or delayed ART initiation, but a decreased risk of delayed ART initiation.Conclusion: The proportion of late and delayed ART initiation decreased significantly after the release of the 2016 guidelines in China. To further improve late diagnosis and early treatment, precise interventions for key populations are required.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Associated With Delayed and Late Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy Among Patients With HIV in Beijing, China, 2010–2020

Mi¹,

Zhou²,

Zeng³

et al. 2023

Int J Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In addition, the remote-based delivery of free booking services for HIV testing may have interested MSM more than other means of organizing an HIV test, with this added convenience improving testing rates further [ 36 , 37 ]. The anonymous, free, and web-based nature of the appointment platform in a popular GSN app eliminates many barriers to testing and allows for HIV testing in a supportive, culturally safe environment [ 38 ]. This study highlights interventions that incorporate social media and supportive and anonymous testing environments as key aspects of increasing HIV testing for MSM in China.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using HIV Risk Self-Assessment Tools to Increase HIV Testing in Men Who Have Sex With Men in Beijing, China: App-Based Randomized Controlled Trial

Luo,

Wu,

et al. 2023

J Med Internet Res

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) in China hold a low-risk perception of acquiring HIV. This has resulted in an inadequate HIV testing rate. Objective This study aims to investigate whether administering HIV risk self-assessments with tailored feedback on a gay geosocial networking (GSN) app could improve HIV testing rates and reduce sexual risk behaviors in Chinese MSM. Methods We recruited MSM from Beijing, China, who used the GSN platform Blued in October 2017 in this 12-month double-blinded randomized controlled trial. From October 2017 to September 2018, eligible participants were randomly assigned to use a self-reported HIV risk assessment tool that provided tailored feedback according to transmission risk (group 1), access to the same HIV risk assessment without feedback (group 2), or government-recommended HIV education materials (control). All interventions were remotely delivered through the mobile phone–based app Blued, and participants were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months from baseline. The number of HIV tests over the 12-month study was the primary outcome and was assessed using an intention-to-treat analysis with an incident rate ratio (IRR). Unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) over 6 months was assessed by a modified intention-to-treat analysis and was the secondary outcome. All statistical analyses were conducted in SAS 9.3 (SAS Institute, Inc.), and a P value <.05 was considered statistically significant. Results In total, 9280 MSM were recruited from baseline and were randomly assigned to group 1 (n=3028), group 2 (n=3065), or controls (n=3187). After follow-up, 1034 (34.1%), 993 (32.4%), and 1103 (34.6%) remained in each group, respectively. Over 12 months, group 1 took 391 tests (mean of 2.51 tests per person), group 2 took 352 tests (mean of 2.01 tests per person), and controls took 295 tests (mean of 1.72 tests per person). Group 1 had significantly more HIV testing than the control group (IRR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09-4.58; P=.01), while group 2 did not differ significantly from the controls (IRR 1.06, 95% CI 0.86-1.30; P=.60). The proportion of UAI was not statistically different among different groups, but all 3 groups had UAI, which declined from baseline. Conclusions Repeated HIV risk assessments coupled with tailored feedback through GSN apps improved HIV testing. Such interventions should be considered a simple way of improving HIV testing among MSM in China and increasing awareness of HIV status. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03320239; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03320239

show abstract

Using HIV Risk Self-Assessment Tools to Increase HIV Testing in Men Who Have Sex With Men in Beijing, China: App-Based Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

Luo,

Wu,

et al. 2022

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BACKGROUND Men who have sex with men (MSM) in China hold a low-risk perception of acquiring HIV. This has resulted in an inadequate HIV testing rate. OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate whether administering HIV risk self-assessments with tailored feedback on a gay geosocial networking (GSN) app could improve HIV testing rates and reduce sexual risk behaviors in Chinese MSM. METHODS We recruited MSM from Beijing, China, who used the GSN platform Blued in October 2017 in this 12-month double-blinded randomized controlled trial. From October 2017 to September 2018, eligible participants were randomly assigned to use a self-reported HIV risk assessment tool that provided tailored feedback according to transmission risk (group 1), access to the same HIV risk assessment without feedback (group 2), or government-recommended HIV education materials (control). All interventions were remotely delivered through the mobile phone–based app Blued, and participants were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months from baseline. The number of HIV tests over the 12-month study was the primary outcome and was assessed using an intention-to-treat analysis with an incident rate ratio (IRR). Unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) over 6 months was assessed by a modified intention-to-treat analysis and was the secondary outcome. All statistical analyses were conducted in SAS 9.3 (SAS Institute, Inc.), and a P value <.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS In total, 9280 MSM were recruited from baseline and were randomly assigned to group 1 (n=3028), group 2 (n=3065), or controls (n=3187). After follow-up, 1034 (34.1%), 993 (32.4%), and 1103 (34.6%) remained in each group, respectively. Over 12 months, group 1 took 391 tests (mean of 2.51 tests per person), group 2 took 352 tests (mean of 2.01 tests per person), and controls took 295 tests (mean of 1.72 tests per person). Group 1 had significantly more HIV testing than the control group (IRR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09-4.58; P=.01), while group 2 did not differ significantly from the controls (IRR 1.06, 95% CI 0.86-1.30; P=.60). The proportion of UAI was not statistically different among different groups, but all 3 groups had UAI, which declined from baseline. CONCLUSIONS Repeated HIV risk assessments coupled with tailored feedback through GSN apps improved HIV testing. Such interventions should be considered a simple way of improving HIV testing among MSM in China and increasing awareness of HIV status. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03320239; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03320239

show abstract

Providing HIV testing in men who have sex with men through a gay social networking app in China: A qualitative interview study with multisectoral service providers

Cited by 3 publications

References 43 publications

Factors Associated With Delayed and Late Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy Among Patients With HIV in Beijing, China, 2010–2020

Factors Associated With Delayed and Late Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy Among Patients With HIV in Beijing, China, 2010–2020

Using HIV Risk Self-Assessment Tools to Increase HIV Testing in Men Who Have Sex With Men in Beijing, China: App-Based Randomized Controlled Trial

Using HIV Risk Self-Assessment Tools to Increase HIV Testing in Men Who Have Sex With Men in Beijing, China: App-Based Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About