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Effectiveness of a Novel HIV Self-Testing Service with Online Real-Time Counseling Support (HIVST-Online) in Increasing HIV Testing Rate and Repeated HIV Testing among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Hong Kong: Results of a Pilot Implementation Project

Author

Listed:
  • Paul Shing-fong Chan

    (JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Andrew Chidgey

    (AIDS Concern, Hong Kong, China)

  • Jason Lau

    (AIDS Concern, Hong Kong, China)

  • Mary Ip

    (JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Joseph T.F. Lau

    (JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Zixin Wang

    (JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

HIV self-testing (HIVST) with online real-time counseling (HIVST-online) is an evidence-based intervention to increase HIV testing coverage and to ensure linkage to care for men who have sex with men (MSM). A community-based organization (CBO) recruited 122 MSM who had ever used HIVST-online (ever-users) and another 228 new-users from multiple sources and promoted HIVST-online. A free oral fluid-based HIVST kit was sent to all the participants by mail. Experienced HIVST administrators implemented HIVST-online by providing real-time instruction, standard-of-care pre-test and post-test counseling via live-chat application. The number of HIVST-online sessions performed was documented by the administrators. The post-test evaluation was conducted 6 months after the pre-test survey. At month 6, 63.1% of ever-users and 40.4% of new-users received HIVST-online. Taking other types of HIV testing into account, 79.4% of ever-users and 58.6% of new-users being followed up at month 6 received any HIV testing during the project period. Ever-users were more likely to receive HIVST-online and any HIV testing as compared to new-users. Four HIVST-online users were screened to be HIV positive and linked to the treatment. The process evaluation of HIVST-online was positive. Implementation of HIVST-online was helpful to improve HIV testing coverage and repeated HIV testing among Chinese MSM. A larger scale implementation should be considered.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Shing-fong Chan & Andrew Chidgey & Jason Lau & Mary Ip & Joseph T.F. Lau & Zixin Wang, 2021. "Effectiveness of a Novel HIV Self-Testing Service with Online Real-Time Counseling Support (HIVST-Online) in Increasing HIV Testing Rate and Repeated HIV Testing among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Hon," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:2:p:729-:d:481303
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Zixin Wang & Yuan Fang & Natthakhet Yaemim & Kai J. Jonas & Andrew Chidgey & Mary Ip & Tommy Cheng & Joseph T. F. Lau, 2021. "Factors Predicting Uptake of Sexually Transmitted Infections Testing among Men Who Have Sex with Men Who Are “Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Tourists”—An Observational Prospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Kechun Zhang & Paul Shing-fong Chan & Xinyue Li & Yuan Fang & Yong Cai & Huachun Zou & Bolin Cao & He Cao & Tian Hu & Yaqi Chen & Zixin Wang, 2023. "Low Behavioral Intention to Use Any Type of HIV Testing and HIV Self-Testing among Migrant Male Factory Workers Who Are at High Risk of HIV Infection in China: A Secondary Data Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Teresa Fasciana & Giuseppina Capra & Dario Lipari & Alberto Firenze & Anna Giammanco, 2022. "Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Diagnosis and Control," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-3, April.

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