title: Field-based video pre-test counseling, oral testing, and telephonic post-test counseling: implementation of an HIV field testing package among high-risk Indian men.
abstract: In India, men who have sex with men (MSM) and truck drivers are high-risk groups that often do not access HIV testing due to stigma and high mobility. This study evaluated a field testing package (FTP) that identified HIV positive participants through video pre-test counseling, OraQuick oral fluid HIV testing, and telephonic post-test counseling and then connected them to government facilities. A total of 598 MSM and truck drivers participated in the FTP and completed surveys covering sociodemographics, HIV testing history, risk behaviors, and opinions on the FTP. MSM and truck drivers equally preferred video counseling, although MSM who had been previously tested preferred traditional methods. Nearly all participants preferred oral testing. Rates of counseling completion and linkage to government centers were low, with one-third of newly identified positives completing follow-up. With increased public-private coordination, this FTP could identify many hard-to-reach preliminary positive individuals and connect them to government testing and care.
authors: University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors: Hannah
authors: H
authors: Snyder
authors: Vijay V
authors: VV
authors: Yeldandi
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Prem Kumar
authors: Chuanhong
authors: C
authors: Liao
authors: Vemu
authors: V
authors: Lakshmi
authors: Sabitha R
authors: SR
authors: Gandham
authors: Uma
authors: U
authors: Muppudi
authors: Ganesh
authors: G
authors: Oruganti
authors: John A
authors: JA
authors: Schneider
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003376:Counseling; D003625:Data Collection; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011287:Prejudice; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013689:Telephone; D014186:Transportation; D014741:Video Recording; D055815:Young Adult