Self-Implemented HIV Testing: Perspectives on Improving Dissemination Among Urban African American Youths

Abstract

We examined the potential for increasing the reach of HIV testing to African American youths through the dissemination of oral-HIV testing. From 2012 through 2013 we examined the perceptions of alternatives to pharmacy dissemination of SITs in African American youths (5 focus groups) and service providers (4 focus groups), and conducted an ethnographic study of pharmacies (n = 10). Participants perceived significant advantages to delivering SITs through community health and services for adolescents (e.g., increased confidentiality, reduced stigma) over pharmacy dissemination. Given proper attention to fit, SIT dissemination could be facilitated through distribution by health and social service sites, and by improving elements of pharmacy dissemination.

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“…Another option to increase accessibility of testing by youth is self-implemented rapid HIV tests. However, a USA study [20] found reluctance by youth to buy the tests as they were expensive and access was not confidential. Thai teenagers were more likely to access testing if they felt they had a high risk of HIV infection, had multiple sexual partners, knew where they could access testing, and had a favourable expectation of using the services [21].…”

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“…5 HIV self-testing may be a new way to improve uptake of HIV testing, especially among at-risk groups, by improving privacy and convenience. 6 However, the oral HIV self-test is not without limitations. The window period of the oral HIV self-test is three months, which is longer than blood-based tests.…”