title: Experiences and correlates of HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men in Jiangsu province, China.
abstract: Substantial numbers of Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) do not access facility-based HIV testing. Self-testing could promote testing uptake among this population. We describe experiences and identify correlates of self-testing among Chinese MSM. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among MSM in Jiangsu from November 2013 to January 2014. Participants were recruited through time-location sampling and from online. Participants were asked a series of questions about HIV self-testing uptake and associated experiences. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of having ever self-tested for HIV. Of 522 participants, 26.2 % had ever self-tested. Finger stick was the most common self-testing modality (86.1 %). A majority of participants reported that it was "very easy" (43.1 %) or "somewhat easy" (34.3 %) to perform self-testing while lower proportions reported "very confident" (24.1 %) or "somewhat confident" (36.5 %) in the accuracy of their test results. Having ever self-tested was significantly associated with having had 2-5 and 6 or more male anal sex partners in the past 6 months (AOR 2.12, 95 % CI 1.00, 4.49; AOR 4.95, 95 % CI 1.90, 12.87), having ever tested for HIV (AOR 4.56, 95 % CI 1.66, 12.55), and having a friend or friends who self-tested (AOR 7.32, 95 % CI 3.57, 15.00). HIV self-testing can reach untested Chinese MSM and/or increase testing frequency. Peer- or social network-based interventions could futher help encourage self-testing. Monitoring systems should be strengthened to ensure the quality of self-testing kits and provision of essential support services, including post-test counseling and linkage-to-care.
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Hongjing
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Haitao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: H Fisher
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.forename: Jianjun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ling-En
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Xiping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huan
authors.forename: Chongyi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D037001:Directive Counseling; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires