Using an HIV Self-test Kit to Test a Partner: Attitudes and Preferences Among High-Risk Populations

Iribarren, Sarah J.; Lentz, Cody; Sheinfil, Alan Z.; Giguere, Rebecca; López-Rios, Javier; Dolezal, Curtis; Frasca, Timothy; Balán, Iván C.; Rael, Christine Tagliaferri; Brown, William; Torres, Catherine Cruz; Crespo, Raynier; Febo, Irma; Carballo‐Diéguez, Alex

doi:10.1007/s10461-020-02885-3

Cited by 17 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…With respect to the issue of cost and potential financial barriers, this project provided HIVST kits free of charge. Sale of HIVST kits is likely to have limited capacity to meet the need of those who want self-testing as, consistent with previous Australian [ 15 , 28 ] and international [ 41 ] research, many (50.8%) of the study participants indicated that they would not be willing to pay for an HIVST kit. In 2019, the TGA approved the Atomo Diagnostics™ rapid diagnostic finger-prick test in Australia for use as a self-test.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 54%

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

Bell

Lemoire²,

Debattista

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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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.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 54%

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

Bell

Lemoire²,

Debattista

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…Convenience was a key attribute for MSM who preferred home self-sampling [ 14 , 15 ] or self-testing [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ] ( Table 1 ). A study conducted in the UK used focus groups and interviews with 44 MSM to explore the acceptability of home self-sampling kits [ 14 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Six studies identified that a feeling of obligation to protect themselves and their partners was an important reason for testing amongst MSM [ 14 , 15 , 19 , 22 , 39 , 40 ]. This finding was consistent across a variety of settings.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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“…The study showed a high level of acceptability of self-testing, as 93% reported it was likely they would use self-testing kits to test partners in the future. Only 5% of men reported problems with performing the test (17).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Badanie wykazało duży poziom akceptowalności testów do samodzielnego wykonania badania, gdyż 93% badanych zgłosiło prawdopodobieństwo wykonania szybkich testów do samodzielnego wykonania przez swoich partnerów w przyszłości. Jedynie 5% mężczyzn zgłosiło problemy z wykonaniem testu (17).…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

Self-testing for HIV among partners of newly diagnosed HIV persons – the pilot program of Test and Keep in Care (TAK) project

Ankiersztejn-Bartczak,

Kowalska

2022

Przegl Epidemiol

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OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study is to conduct a pilot program for self-testing for HIV during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The target population was the partners of newly diagnosed HIV persons. The premise of the program was to offer such partners a test that they could perform in the conditions, at the time, and with the assistance of persons they themselves selected. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The self-test kits were sent to an outpatient clinic providing care for people living with HIV, where, after taking a preliminary history, the physician who treats the newly diagnosed HIV patients handed them over for use by the partner of the patient. Only the persons who reported having relations with their sexual partner were included in the study. Information on whether the partner accepted the test kit and the self-test result were obtained at the subsequent visit. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. Between June 2020 and March 2021, the total number of handed out test kits was 48 kits intended for 24 persons, included 11 women, average age of participants: 35, sexual orientation: 20 persons reported heterosexual orientation, two persons reported homosexual orientation, two failed to provide information on their sexual orientation. All persons tested negative. The pilot program found that self-testing kits are a method for HIV screening in partners of newly diagnosed HIV persons that is simple to apply and easy to accept.

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Using an HIV Self-test Kit to Test a Partner: Attitudes and Preferences Among High-Risk Populations

Cited by 17 publications

References 16 publications

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

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

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

Self-testing for HIV among partners of newly diagnosed HIV persons – the pilot program of Test and Keep in Care (TAK) project

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