title: Acceptability and feasibility of HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men in Peru and Brazil.
abstract: HIV self-testing has the potential to increase testing frequency and uptake. This pilot study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of HIV self-testing in a sample of sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM) in Peru and Brazil. Participants were trained to use a whole blood rapid HIV self-test and instructed to use the self-test monthly during this three-month study. Test acceptability was measured with self-reported use of the test at the one-month and three-month study visits, and test feasibility was assessed by direct observation of self-test administration at the final three-month visit. A total of 103 participants (52 in Peru and 51 in Brazil) were enrolled, and 86% completed the three-month study. Nearly all participants reported use of the self-test (97% at one-month and 98% at three-month visit), and all participants correctly interpreted the self-administered test results when observed using the test at the final study visit. HIV self-testing with a blood-based assay was highly acceptable and feasible. HIV self-testing may have the potential to increase testing frequency and to reach high-risk MSM not currently accessing HIV-testing services.
authors.affiliation: Bridge HIV, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco CA, USA jvolk@stanfordalumni.org.
authors.forename: Jonathan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Volk
authors.affiliation: Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Sheri A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lippman
authors.affiliation: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Grinsztejn
authors.affiliation: Asociación Civil Impacta Salud y Educación, Lima, Peru.
authors.forename: Javier R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lama
authors.affiliation: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: Nilo M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Asociación Civil Impacta Salud y Educación, Lima, Peru.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gonzales
authors.affiliation: Departments of Clinical Pharmacy and of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hessol
authors.affiliation: Bridge HIV, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco CA, USA Departments of Medicine, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buchbinder
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: AIDS; HIV; MSM; South America; diagnosis; homosexual; men; screening; self-testing; viral disease