title: Bathhouse distribution of HIV self-testing kits reaches diverse, high-risk population.
abstract: We distributed free OraQuick In-home HIV Test® kits to men at a gay bathhouse. Men were systematically selected to receive a coupon, which could be redeemed that night for an HIV self-testing kit. Those offered the coupon were asked to take an 11-item survey. About 181 men received coupons, of whom 92 (51%) accepted the coupon, and 61 (66%) men redeemed the coupon. Those who redeemed test kits and completed a survey (n = 53) were more ethnically diverse (χ(2) = 100.69, p < .01) than those receiving the coupon. More than half had not tested in the past 6 months (50%) or never tested (7%). Importantly, men who had never tested or who last tested more than 6 months ago were among those most likely to take the free test kit. We found bathhouse distribution could reach a population of men who have sex with men most in need of improved access to HIV testing. Future studies should consider means of improved follow-up and linkage to care for those who test positive.
authors.affiliation: a Medicine , University of California San Francisco , San Francisco , CA , USA.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.affiliation: a Medicine , University of California San Francisco , San Francisco , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Sheri A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lippman
authors.affiliation: a Medicine , University of California San Francisco , San Francisco , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Agnew
authors.affiliation: b La Clinica , Oakland , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.affiliation: a Medicine , University of California San Francisco , San Francisco , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Binson
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D001494:Baths; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011633:Public Facilities; D012307:Risk Factors; D012495:San Francisco / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: HIV self-test; gay bathhouse; men who have sex with men