Effectiveness of a Novel HIV Self-Testing Service with Online Real-Time Counseling Support (HIVST-Online) in Increasing HIV Testing Rate and Repeated HIV Testing among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Hong Kong: Results of a Pilot Implementation Project.

Paul Shing-Fong Chan,Joseph T.F Lau,Andrew Chidgey,Jason Lau,Zixin Wang,Mary Ip

doi:10.3390/ijerph18020729

Paul Shing-Fong Chan, Joseph T.F Lau + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020729

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Abstract

HIV self-testing (HIVST) with online real-time counseling (HIVST-online) is an evidence-based intervention to increase HIV testing coverage and to ensure linkage to care for men who have sex with men (MSM). A community-based organization (CBO) recruited 122 MSM who had ever used HIVST-online (ever-users) and another 228 new-users from multiple sources and promoted HIVST-online. A free oral fluid-based HIVST kit was sent to all the participants by mail. Experienced HIVST administrators implemented HIVST-online by providing real-time instruction, standard-of-care pre-test and post-test counseling via live-chat application. The number of HIVST-online sessions performed was documented by the administrators. The post-test evaluation was conducted 6 months after the pre-test survey. At month 6, 63.1% of ever-users and 40.4% of new-users received HIVST-online. Taking other types of HIV testing into account, 79.4% of ever-users and 58.6% of new-users being followed up at month 6 received any HIV testing during the project period. Ever-users were more likely to receive HIVST-online and any HIV testing as compared to new-users. Four HIVST-online users were screened to be HIV positive and linked to the treatment. The process evaluation of HIVST-online was positive. Implementation of HIVST-online was helpful to improve HIV testing coverage and repeated HIV testing among Chinese MSM. A larger scale implementation should be considered.

Highlights

Introduction published maps and institutional affilHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a serious public health threat among men who have sex with men (MSM) [1,2,3]
We evaluated the effectiveness of HIV self-testing (HIVST)-online in increasing HIV testing and repeated testing among MSM in Hong Kong
As compared to new-users, ever-users were more likely to receive HIVST-online (AOR: 3.01, 95% CI: 1.80, 5.05) and any HIV testing (AOR: 4.82, 95% CI: 2.51–9.28) (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a serious public health threat among men who have sex with men (MSM) [1,2,3]. In China, the National Health and Family Planning. Commission estimated the overall HIV prevalence among MSM to be 7.7%, and over a quarter of new HIV cases were attributed to MSM [4]. In Hong Kong, the HIV prevalence among MSM was 6.54% in 2017 [5]. MSM accounted for 59.6% of all the reported new HIV cases in 2018 [6]. HIV testing plays a crucial role in the era of “treat all”.

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