Willingness to distribute free rapid home HIV test kits and to test with social or sexual network associates among men who have sex with men in the United States

ABSTRACT

Peer-driven HIV prevention strategies can be effective in identifying high-risk persons with undiagnosed infections. Besides individual self-testing, other potential uses of rapid home HIV test kits include distributing them, and testing with others within one's social or sexual networks. We sought to identify factors associated with the willingness to engage in these alternative activities among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. From May to October 2014, we surveyed 828 HIV-negative or unknown status MSM about multiple aspects of rapid home HIV testing. A greater proportion indicated being likely to distribute free oral fluid (OF) tests compared to free finger-stick blood (FSB) tests (91% versus 79%), and almost three-fourths (72%) reported being likely to test with their friends or sex partners in the future. MSM not identifying as homosexual/gay were less willing to distribute OF tests, and those with lower educational attainment were more willing to distribute FSB tests. MSM unaware of their HIV status were less likely to report potentially testing with others using free rapid home HIV tests compared to those who were HIV-negative. Finally, MSM willing to self-test were more likely to report future test kit distribution, and those willing to distribute kits were more likely to report potentially testing with others. Engaging individuals with positive attitudes towards these strategies in prevention efforts could help increase HIV testing levels among MSM. A greater understanding of the potential public health impact of rapid home HIV test kits is necessary.

KEYWORDS:

• Rapid home HIV testing
• internet-using MSM
• HIV test kit distribution
• HIV testing with partners
• comprehensive HIV prevention

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all eSTAMP study participants. The authors would also like to acknowledge Mary Ann Chiasson and Sabina Hirshfield of Public Health Solutions, New York City for their input during the study design and instrument development process.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Disclaimer

The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the responsibility of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors’ affiliated institutions.

ORCID

Akshay Sharma http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7864-5464

Additional information

Funding

Funding for the eSTAMP study was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to Manila Consulting Group Inc. under contract number 200-2011-41989. The study design, implementation, and data collection were conducted by the contractors in accordance with a standardized protocol developed by the contractors and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data analysis and manuscript preparation were conducted collaboratively by the authors, and no government funds were used to reimburse any individuals for these activities.