Abstract
PurposeThere is a need to increase access to HIV testing in the UK in male migrant communities. The purpose of this paper is to assess the uptake and acceptability of a workplace HIV testing intervention aimed at increasing access to testing in non-clinical settings.Design/methodology/approachA total of 20 health check events were delivered at 11 UK organisations employing male migrant workers. Intervention included HIV testing, cholesterol, BMI, blood glucose, blood pressure; tailored health advice; take-away resources; optional post-event text reminders about HIV and general health. Mixed-methods evaluation included exit questionnaires (n=771), follow-up text messages (n=465) and qualitative interviews (n=35) to assess event acceptability. Qualitative data were analysed thematically.FindingsAttendees were 776 employees from 50 countries (51 per cent male; 30 per cent migrant workers). A total of 52 per cent of attendees undertook an HIV test (75 per cent were first-time testers). In total, 96 per cent considered HIV testing to be an acceptable element of workplace health checks; 79 per cent reported new health-related knowledge; 60 per cent of attendees opted for follow-up text messaging; 26 per cent of text respondents reported independently taking HIV test post-event. High acceptability and uptake of HIV testing was associated with convenience, opportunity taking (through removal of deliberation and intentional test-seeking), and normalisation of HIV testing within a general health check.Originality/valueThis study is the first to demonstrate that opt-in HIV testing can be successfully delivered in the workplace within a multi-component health check. The workplace is an effective means of increasing access to HIV testing in groups at risk for HIV, including male migrant workers.
Highlights
HIV testing rates are still too low in the UK and Europe (Gourlay et al, 2017)
We report on the delivery of a multi-site innovative workplace HIV testing intervention, and present findings from a mixed-methods evaluation
Higher rates of HIV testing were observed in migrant groups, with HIV testing undertaken by 64% (n=23) of all attendees from sub-Saharan Africa (n=36), and 34.7% (n=42) of all attendees from Eastern Europe (n=121)
Summary
HIV testing rates are still too low in the UK and Europe (Gourlay et al, 2017). Of the estimated 103,700 people living with HIV in the UK, approximately 17% are unaware of their diagnosis (Public Health England, 2015). People who are undiagnosed or diagnosed late have poorer health outcomes, are more likely to die prematurely, and are more likely to transmit the infection to others (Kirwan et al, 2016). To ensure people who are unaware of their infection are diagnosed early and receive safe and effective treatment, there is a need to increase access to HIV testing in the UK. We report on the delivery of a multi-site innovative workplace HIV testing intervention, and present findings from a mixed-methods evaluation.
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