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

Sara Fiona Elisabeth Bell, Jime Lemoire, Joseph Debattista, Andrew M. Redmond, Glen Driver, Izriel Durkin, Luke Coffey, Melissa Warner, Chris Howard, Owain David Williams, Charles F. Gilks and Judith Ann Dean
Additional contact information
Sara Fiona Elisabeth Bell: School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia
Jime Lemoire: Queensland Positive People, East Brisbane 4169, Australia
Joseph Debattista: Metro North Public Health Unit, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Windsor 4030, Australia
Andrew M. Redmond: Queensland Positive People, East Brisbane 4169, Australia
Glen Driver: Queensland Positive People, East Brisbane 4169, Australia
Izriel Durkin: Queensland Positive People, East Brisbane 4169, Australia
Luke Coffey: Queensland Positive People, East Brisbane 4169, Australia
Melissa Warner: Queensland Positive People, East Brisbane 4169, Australia
Chris Howard: Queensland Positive People, East Brisbane 4169, Australia
Owain David Williams: School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia
Charles F. Gilks: School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia
Judith Ann Dean: School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-13

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.

Keywords: peer-led; intervention; feasibility; HIV; testing; HIV self-testing (HIVST); men who have sex with men (MSM); gay; Australia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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