scholarly journals Adherence of HIV Self-Testing Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China: Longitudinal Study

10.2196/19627 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. e19627
Author(s):  
Xiangyu Yan ◽  
Hexuan Su ◽  
Bo Zhang ◽  
Yongjie Li ◽  
Lingling Zhang ◽  
...  

Background The World Health Organization recommended HIV self-testing (HIVST) for individuals practicing unsafe sexual behaviors; however, the adherence to HIV testing has not been reported. Objective In this study, we attempted to determine the adherence to HIVST among men who have sex with men (MSM), as well as the impact factors and potential effects of their adherence. Methods We conducted a longitudinal study among MSM in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. A mobile app system was used to provide the “Mailing rapid test reagent kit” for the HIVST service. The proportion of those who adhered to HIV testing every 3 months was calculated. Logistic regression was used to explore the impact factors related to adherence to HIVST. Rates of HIV infection between MSM who adhered to HIVST and those who did not were compared using Cox proportional hazards regression. Changes of condom use behaviors between the two groups were also compared using the chi-square test. Results A total of 1315 MSM who received the HIVST service through the app were included in the study. Overall, 10% of the MSM adhered to HIVST, and the proportion of adhering tests was only 34.9%. Adherence of HIVST was associated with marital status (adjusted odds ratio [OR]unmarried vs married 2.31, 95% CI 1.13-4.71) and the number of HIV tests they received (adjusted OR3 times vs 2 times or below 3.36, 95% CI 2.01-5.63; adjusted OR4 times or above vs 2 times or below 7.30, 95% CI 4.67-11.42). Twenty HIV seroconversions were observed during 1-year follow up. The rate of HIV infection in the adherence group (17.10 per 100 person years, 95% CI 8.80-30.84) was significantly higher than that in the nonadherence group (4.80 per 100 person years, 95% CI 2.77-7.88; adjusted hazard ratio 3.33, 95% CI 1.35-8.20). Those who adhered to HIV testing were more likely to improve condom use behaviors, although the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions Regular HIV testing is necessary for early detection of HIV infection among MSM. Given the poor adherence, a new internet-based management paradigm for MSM is needed to raise their health awareness to optimize the implementation of HIVST.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangyu Yan ◽  
Hexuan Su ◽  
Bo Zhang ◽  
Yongjie Li ◽  
Lingling Zhang ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommended HIV self-testing (HIVST) for individuals practicing unsafe sexual behaviors; however, the adherence to HIV testing has not been reported. OBJECTIVE In this study, we attempted to determine the adherence to HIVST among men who have sex with men (MSM), as well as the impact factors and potential effects of their adherence. METHODS We conducted a longitudinal study among MSM in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. A mobile app system was used to provide the “Mailing rapid test reagent kit” for the HIVST service. The proportion of those who adhered to HIV testing every 3 months was calculated. Logistic regression was used to explore the impact factors related to adherence to HIVST. Rates of HIV infection between MSM who adhered to HIVST and those who did not were compared using Cox proportional hazards regression. Changes of condom use behaviors between the two groups were also compared using the chi-square test. RESULTS A total of 1315 MSM who received the HIVST service through the app were included in the study. Overall, 10% of the MSM adhered to HIVST, and the proportion of adhering tests was only 34.9%. Adherence of HIVST was associated with marital status (adjusted odds ratio [OR]<sub>unmarried vs married</sub> 2.31, 95% CI 1.13-4.71) and the number of HIV tests they received (adjusted OR<sub>3 times vs 2 times or below</sub> 3.36, 95% CI 2.01-5.63; adjusted OR<sub>4 times or above vs 2 times or below</sub> 7.30, 95% CI 4.67-11.42). Twenty HIV seroconversions were observed during 1-year follow up. The rate of HIV infection in the adherence group (17.10 per 100 person years, 95% CI 8.80-30.84) was significantly higher than that in the nonadherence group (4.80 per 100 person years, 95% CI 2.77-7.88; adjusted hazard ratio 3.33, 95% CI 1.35-8.20). Those who adhered to HIV testing were more likely to improve condom use behaviors, although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Regular HIV testing is necessary for early detection of HIV infection among MSM. Given the poor adherence, a new internet-based management paradigm for MSM is needed to raise their health awareness to optimize the implementation of HIVST.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiming Tang ◽  
Wenting Huang ◽  
Haidong Lu ◽  
Bolin Cao ◽  
Dan Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a promising approach to expand HIV testing. HIVST is a process in which a person performs an HIV test and interprets the result. Negative HIVST results may encourage men who have sex with men (MSM) to use HIV prevention services. The objective of this study was to examine behaviors (e.g., facility-based HIV testing, condom use) after a negative HIVST test result among Chinese MSM. Methods We collected data from MSM in eight Chinese cities over a 12-month period. This is a secondary analysis of longitudinal cohort data collected as part of an intervention trial to increase HIV testing. Men completed a survey that described sociodemographic information, sexual behaviors, HIV self-testing, and facility-based HIV testing. Men who completed at least one follow-up survey were included in this analysis. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate whether HIVST increased subsequent facility-based HIV testing and consistent condom use. Results We included 1219 men. Most men (78.7%) were under 30 years old and had never been married (87.0%). 755 (61.9%) men tested for HIV and 593 (49.3%) men self-tested during the study period. At baseline, among men who had never been tested for HIV, 44.9% (314/699) initiated HIVST during the study period. HIVST was associated with subsequent facility-based testing (aOR of 1.87, 95% CI: 1.47–2.37). HIVST was also associated with subsequent consistent condom use (aOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.13–2.06). Conclusion HIVST was associated with subsequent facility-based HIV testing and consistent condom use. HIVST may enhance uptake of related HIV prevention services at facilities, suggesting the need for more implementation research.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron J. Siegler ◽  
Travis Sanchez ◽  
R. Craig Sineath ◽  
Jeremy Grey ◽  
Erin Kahle ◽  
...  

Abstract In a national online survey, we assessed awareness and knowledge of acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection manifestation among 1748 men who have sex with men (MSM). Only 39% of respondents were aware that acute HIV infection may be accompanied by symptoms. Education and increased access to acute HIV testing may facilitate MSM to appropriately seek acute HIV testing.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Ntshilagane Mampane

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are regarded as a high-risk group for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection worldwide. In South Africa, which is home to the largest number of people living with HIV, research has revealed that HIV prevalence and incidence rates among MSM have reached crisis proportions. African MSM in particular are more susceptible to the risk of HIV infection due to increasing homophobia on the African continent coupled with poor socio-economic backgrounds such as poverty, unemployment and low educational levels. In this regard, there is a need to develop appropriate and relevant interventions such as community engagement approaches which have shown to be effective in improving the health and wellbeing of marginalised and minority populations in disadvantaged and underprivileged communities. In the context of this study, the latter refers to Black MSM who live in rural areas. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of MSM and health care providers (HCPs) regarding the impact of community engagement on HIV testing, prevention, treatment, care and support among MSM in rural villages in North West province, South Africa. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 4 MSM and 4 HCPs who have been involved in a community engagement programme in these rural villages. In a nutshell, the findings of the study revealed that community engagement has encouraged MSM to access and utilise HIV testing, prevention, treatment, care and support than they used to previously.        


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0256094
Author(s):  
Philippe Girault ◽  
Christina Misa Wong ◽  
Siroat Jittjang ◽  
Kangwan Fongkaew ◽  
Michael M. Cassell ◽  
...  

Background Suboptimal uptake of HIV testing remains a primary bottleneck to HIV prevention and treatment for men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Thailand. The World Health Organization has recommended HIV self-testing (HIVST) as an additional strategic HIV service. However, HIVST has not been fully endorsed and implemented in many countries in Southeast Asia. The aim of this study was to assess the uptake of oral fluid-based HIVST in MSM and TGW populations in Thailand. Methods During 2017 and 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional study using convenience sampling to enroll 2,524 participants from three major urban areas. Participants were recruited during outreach and online activities and were offered unassisted or assisted HIVST, or referral to HIV testing services. A descriptive analysis was performed for summarizing data. Results A total of 2,502 participants (1,422 MSM and 1,082 TGW) were included in the analysis with about one-third (36.1%) of them being first-time testers. Among all participants enrolled in the study, a total of 2,486 participants (99.3%) selected HIVST versus referral to HIV testing services. Of those who selected HIVST, 2,095 (84.3%) opted for assisted HIVST while the rest opted for unassisted HIVST: 1,148 of 1,411 MSM (81.4%) and 947 of 1,075 TGW (88.1%) selected assisted HIVST. While no serious adverse events were reported during the study, we found that among 179 participants who needed a confirmatory test and were referred to HIV testing services, 108 (60.3.4%) accessed these later services. Conclusions This study demonstrated a high uptake of oral fluid-based HIVST among MSM and TGW populations in Thailand and that HIVST could be scaled up through the national epidemic control program. However, a better understanding of HIV testing-seeking behavior and innovative follow-up solutions are needed to improve and monitor linkages to services for people who undertake HIVST.


2021 ◽  
pp. 095646242110213
Author(s):  
Amaraporn Rerkasem ◽  
Nuntisa Chotirosniramit ◽  
Pongpun Saokhieo ◽  
Antika Wongthanee ◽  
Kittipan Rerkasem

A cross-sectional study on men who have sex with men (MSM) for the HIV prevention project was conducted to assess the prevalence of HIV infection–related behaviors among 551 MSM recruited in 2008–2009 and 1910 MSM in 2014–2018 for voluntary counseling and testing at a HIV clinic in Chiang Mai. Overall, the study found that the prevalence of HIV infection was significantly decreased from 12.9% (71/551) in the earlier study (2008–2009) to 8.2% (157/1910) in the recent study (2014–2018) ( p = 0.001). By comparison, in 2008–2009 and 2014–2018, there was no statistically significant difference in consistent condom use (39.0% [186/477] vs. 38.9% [591/1512], p = 0.969), while unprotected anal sex with casual partners significantly increased (44.5% [159/357] vs. 51.9% [645/1242], p = 0.014) and receptive anal sex significantly increased (37.7% [180/477] vs. 45.1% [860/1905], p = 0.004). However, previous HIV testing within 1 year increased significantly from 64.6% (197/305) to 74.7% (677/906, p = 0.001). In exploratory multivariate analysis, the factors associated with HIV infection included gay men, age below 20 years, being self-employed, being an employee, having only receptive anal sex, having both receptive/insertive anal sex, being a former substance user, using online dating, having a history of sexually transmitted infection symptoms, self-perception as being at high risk for HIV, last HIV testing >1 year, and never previously testing for HIV. The data represent the trend of health-seeking behavior improvements. The findings demonstrated the need for a novel sexual health service in an endemic setting and health promotion for online partner-seeking.


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 18573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulsalam Alkaiyat ◽  
Christian Schaetti ◽  
Mohammad Liswi ◽  
Mitchell G Weiss
Keyword(s):  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen Marie Canario de la Torre ◽  
Ivony Yireth Agudelo Salas ◽  
Sandra Miranda de León ◽  
Yadira Rolón Colón ◽  
María Pabón Martínez ◽  
...  

Abstract The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have established guidelines for HIV testing in healthcare settings. The aim of this study was to identify the sociodemographic, healthcare, and sexual-behavior predictors of provider-initiated HIV testing (PIHT) using data from the Puerto Rico National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (PR-NHBS) 2016 cycle directed towards heterosexuals at increased risk of HIV infection (HET). A total sample of 531 eligible participants were recruited through respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Logistic regression models assessed the associations between sociodemographic, healthcare, and sexual-behavior predictors, whilst adjusting for sex and age. The majority of the participants were women (66.1%), with 72.7% reporting having received healthcare services in the past year. Of them, 18.7% had received an HIV-test offer from their healthcare providers. More than half of the participants (65.2%) reported a low perceived risk of getting infected with HIV in the next 12 months. Results suggest an overall low prevalence of PIHT among HET in PR who exhibited a relatively high prevalence of low perceived risk of HIV infection. Furthermore, the assessed predictors show that individuals who engaged in high-risk sexual behaviors (AOR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.30–0.90) were less likely to receive HIV-test offers from their providers. This study further emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to follow recommended guidelines for HIV testing in healthcare settings as a means of establishing preventive measures to further counteract the HIV epidemic in Puerto Rico, specifically among HET.


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