Abstract
BackgroundThe coverage of HIV testing among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) remains low after the scale-up of free HIV testing at government-sponsored testing sites. We evaluated the feasibility of home-based HIV self-testing and the willingness to be HIV tested at community-based organizations (CBO).MethodsWe recruited MSM via on-line advertisement, where they completed an on-line informed consent and subsequent questionnaire survey. Eligible MSM received HIV rapid testing kits by mail, performed the test themselves and reported the result remotely.ResultsOf the 220 men taking a home-based HIV self-testing, 33 MSM (15%) were seropositive. Nearly 65% of the men reported that they were willing to take HIV testing at CBO, while 28% preferred receiving free HIV testing in the government programs at local Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Older and lower-income MSM, those who self-reported homosexual orientation, men with no history of sexually transmitted diseases and a lower number of sexual partners in the past six months were associated with preference for taking HIV testing at CBOs. The top three self-reported existing barriers for HIV testing were: no perception of HIV risk (56%), fear of an HIV positive result being reported to the government (41%), and fear of a positive HIV test result (36%).ConclusionHome-based HIV self-testing is an alternative approach for increasing the coverage of HIV testing among Chinese MSM. CBO-based HIV testing is a potential alternative, but further studies are needed to evaluate its feasibility.
Highlights
HIV testing is essential for screening and access to HIV care, including counseling on risk reduction, diagnosis, and initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) when indicated [1,2]
The Home-Based HIV Self-Testing Project was implemented by the Chaoyang Chinese AIDS Volunteer Group (CCAVG)—a gay-friendly community-based organizations (CBO) in Beijing, China, which has actively promoted HIV/AIDS testing and prevention in the men who have sex with men (MSM) community, and has collaborated in conducting HIV/ AIDS research projects with MSM for nearly 10 years
In 2012, CCAVG recruited MSM participants via an advertisement for home-based HIV self-testing posted on its website
Summary
HIV testing is essential for screening and access to HIV care, including counseling on risk reduction, diagnosis, and initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) when indicated [1,2]. Knowledge of HIV infection status is associated with reduction of risky sexual behaviors among persons who test seropositive [3], and early initiation of ART reduced the risk of transmitting HIV among discordant couples by 96% in the HPTN 052 trial [4]. In China, HIV testing is available through two types of government-sponsored programs: HIV voluntary testing and counseling (VCT) clinics and public hospitals. The coverage of HIV testing among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) remains low after the scaleup of free HIV testing at government-sponsored testing sites. We evaluated the feasibility of home-based HIV self-testing and the willingness to be HIV tested at community-based organizations (CBO)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
