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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
- Source :
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health; Volume 18; Issue 21; Pages: 11252, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 18, Iss 11252, p 11252 (2021)
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- MDPI, 2021.
-
Abstract
- 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.
- Subjects :
- Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Referral
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
peer-led
intervention
feasibility
HIV
testing
HIV self-testing (HIVST)
men who have sex with men (MSM)
gay
Australia
Population
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
HIV Infections
Hiv testing
medicine.disease_cause
Article
Men who have sex with men
Sexual and Gender Minorities
Intervention (counseling)
medicine
Humans
Mass Screening
Homosexuality, Male
education
education.field_of_study
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Test (assessment)
Self Care
Self-Testing
Family medicine
Medicine
Female
Rural area
Psychology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 16604601
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health; Volume 18; Issue 21; Pages: 11252, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 18, Iss 11252, p 11252 (2021)
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....674e7b6ad2b1664962ef02da783bd7b0