Dataset Information

Are there any differences between different testing sites? A cross-sectional study of a Norwegian low-threshold HIV testing service for men who have sex with men.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To describe a Norwegian low-threshold HIV testing service targeting men who have sex with men (MSM).

Design and setting

After the HIV testing consultation, all users of the HIV testing service were invited to answer the study questionnaire. The study setting included the sites where testing was performed, that is, the testing service's office in Oslo, cruising areas, bars/clubs and in hotels in other Norwegian cities.

Participants

MSM users of the testing service.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Data were collected on demographics, HIV testing and sexual behaviour as well as the participant's motivations for choosing to take an HIV test at this low-threshold HIV testing service. The data are stratified by testing site.

Results

1577 HIV testing consultations were performed, the study sample consisted of 732 MSM users. 11 tested positive for HIV. 21.7% had a non-western background, 27.1% reported having a non-gay sexual orientation. 21.9% had 10 or more male sexual partners during the last year, 27.9% reported also having had a female sexual partner. 56.4% reported having practised unprotected anal intercourse during the last 6?months. 20.1% had never tested for HIV before. Most of these user characteristics varied by testing sites.

Conclusions

The Norwegian low-threshold testing service recruits target groups that are otherwise hard to reach with HIV testing. This may indicate that the testing service contributes to increase HIV testing rates among MSM in Norway.

SUBMITTER: Moseng BU

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5640042 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Are there any differences between different testing sites? A cross-sectional study of a Norwegian low-threshold HIV testing service for men who have sex with men.

Moseng Bera Ulstein BU Bjørnshagen Vegar V

BMJ open 20171006 10

<h4>Objective</h4>To describe a Norwegian low-threshold HIV testing service targeting men who have sex with men (MSM).<h4>Design and setting</h4>After the HIV testing consultation, all users of the HIV testing service were invited to answer the study questionnaire. The study setting included the sites where testing was performed, that is, the testing service's office in Oslo, cruising areas, bars/clubs and in hotels in other Norwegian cities.<h4>Participants</h4>MSM users of the testing service. ...[more]

PMID: 28988180

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Project description:BackgroundMany interventions find that social media engagement with health promotion materials can translate into behavioral changes. However, only a few studies have examined the ways in which specific actions on various social media platforms are correlated with health behaviors.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine the association between social media use and HIV testing behaviors among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM).MethodsIn July 2016, a Web-based survey was conducted to recruit MSM in 8 Chinese cities through Blued (Blue City Holdings Ltd.), the world's largest gay mobile phone app. Data on sociodemographic variables, social media use platforms and behaviors, sexual behaviors, and HIV testing histories were collected. HIV testing-related social media use was defined as having ever engaged with HIV testing content on social media, which was further divided into observing (ie, receiving), endorsing (eg, liking and sharing), and contributing (eg, posting or commenting on HIV testing materials). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to determine the best division of HIV testing-related social media use. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine the association between HIV testing-related social media use and HIV testing behaviors.ResultsA total of 2105 individuals participated in the survey. Among them, 46.75% (984) were under the age of 24 years, 35.43% (746) had high school education or less, and 47.74% (587) had condomless sex in the last 3 months. More than half of the respondents (58.14%, 1224/2105) reported HIV testing-related social media use. Additionally, HIV testing-related social media use, especially on multifunctional platforms such as WeChat, was found to be associated with recent HIV testing (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.32, 95% CI 1.66-3.24). Contributing on social media was correlated with recent HIV testing (aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.40-3.16), but neither observing (aOR 0.66, 95% CI 0.38-1.15) nor endorsing (aOR 1.29, 95% CI 0.88-1.90) were correlated.ConclusionsOur data suggest that social media use, particularly on multifunctional platforms such as WeChat and with contributing behaviors, is correlated with HIV testing among MSM in China. Campaigns that promote active participant contribution on social media beyond passive observation and endorsement of promotional materials are needed. This study has implications for the design and implementation of social media interventions to promote HIV testing.

Project description:BackgroundHIV testing is the cornerstone of strategies for achieving the fast-track target to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Self-testing has been proven to be an effective health intervention for men who have sex with men (MSM). While social network-based approaches for distributing HIV self-tests are recommended by the World Health Organization, their implementation consists of multiple steps that need to be properly evaluated.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the implementation cascade of a social network-based HIV self-test approach for reaching MSM who had never undergone testing in Hong Kong.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study. Seed MSM participants were recruited through different web-based channels, who in turn invited their peers to participate in this study. A web-based platform was set up to support the recruitment and referral process. Participants could request for an oral fluid or a finger-prick HIV self-test, with or without real-time support, after completing a self-administered questionnaire. Referrals could be made upon uploading the test result and passing the web-based training. Characteristics of participants completing each of these steps and their preferences for the type of HIV self-test were evaluated.ResultsA total of 463 MSM were recruited, including 150 seeds. Participants recruited by seeds were less likely to have previously been tested for HIV (odds ratio [OR] 1.80, 95% CI 1.06-3.04, P=.03) and have lower confidence in performing self-tests (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.45-0.99, P=.045). Almost all (434/442, 98%) MSM who completed the questionnaire requested a self-test, of whom 82% (354/434) had uploaded their test results. Participants requesting support were new to self-testing (OR 3.65, 95% CI 2.10-6.35, P<.001) and less confident in carrying out the self-test correctly (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.22-0.56, P<.001). More than half (216/354, 61%) of the eligible participants initiated the referral process by attempting the web-based training with a passing rate of 93% (200/216). They were more likely to have sought sex partners (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.14-4.25, P=.02), especially through location-based networking apps (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.31-3.49, P=.002). They also gave higher usability scores along the implementation cascade (median 81 vs 75, P=.003).ConclusionsThe social network approach was effective in diffusing HIV self-tests in the MSM community and reaching nontesters. Support and option to choose a preferable type of self-test are essential to address users' individual needs when delivering HIV self-tests. A positive user experience throughout the processes along the implementation cascade is vital to transform a tester into a promoter.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04379206; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04379206.

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Dataset Information

Are there any differences between different testing sites? A cross-sectional study of a Norwegian low-threshold HIV testing service for men who have sex with men.

Objective

Design and setting

Participants

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Are there any differences between different testing sites? A cross-sectional study of a Norwegian low-threshold HIV testing service for men who have sex with men.

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