title: Acceptability of using electronic vending machines to deliver oral rapid HIV self-testing kits: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rates of unrecognized HIV infection are significantly higher among Latino and Black men who have sex with men (MSM). Policy makers have proposed that HIV self-testing kits and new methods for delivering self-testing could improve testing uptake among minority MSM. This study sought to conduct qualitative assessments with MSM of color to determine the acceptability of using electronic vending machines to dispense HIV self-testing kits.
  
  
  METHODS
  African American and Latino MSM were recruited using a participant pool from an existing HIV prevention trial on Facebook. If participants expressed interest in using a vending machine to receive an HIV self-testing kit, they were emailed a 4-digit personal identification number (PIN) code to retrieve the test from the machine. We followed up with those who had tested to assess their willingness to participate in an interview about their experience.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve kits were dispensed and 8 interviews were conducted. In general, participants expressed that the vending machine was an acceptable HIV test delivery method due to its novelty and convenience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acceptability of this delivery model for HIV testing kits was closely associated with three main factors: credibility, confidentiality, and convenience. Future research is needed to address issues, such as user-induced errors and costs, before scaling up the dispensing method.
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors: Sean D
authors: SD
authors: Young
authors: Program in Global Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Daniels
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors: ChingChe J
authors: CJ
authors: Chiu
authors: Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors: Robert K
authors: RK
authors: Bolan
authors: Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors: Risa P
authors: RP
authors: Flynn
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors: Justin
authors: J
authors: Kwok
authors: Program in Global Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors: Jeffrey D
authors: JD
authors: Klausner
mesh_terms: D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000600:supply & distribution*
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic