title: Knowledge and preferences concerning acute HIV testing programs among both Peruvian men who have sex with men and transgender women.
abstract: Immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART) for acute HIV infection (AHI) may decrease HIV transmission in high-risk populations. This study evaluated knowledge of AHI and AHI testing program preferences in Lima, Peru through four semi-structured focus groups with high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM) ( n = 20) and transgender women (TW) ( n = 16). Using content analysis, emergent themes included knowledge of AHI symptoms, AHI transmission potential, and the HIV testing window period, and preferences concerning point of care results. Participants demonstrated low familiarity with the term AHI, but many correctly identified AHI symptoms. However, these symptoms may not motivate testing because they overlap with common viral illnesses and AIDS. Some were aware that infectiousness is highest during AHI, and believe this knowledge would facilitate HIV testing. The shortened window period with AHI testing would encourage testing following high-risk sex. Delayed result notification would not decrease AHI testing demand among MSM, although it might for some TW.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Grace M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Wandell
authors.affiliation: 2 School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Yamile
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.affiliation: 3 Epicentro, Lima, Perú.
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Anna C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Greer
authors.affiliation: 4 Asociación Civil Impacta Salud y Educación, Lima, Perú.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ríos
authors.affiliation: 5 Vaccine and Infectious Disease & Public Health Science Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bain
authors.affiliation: 4 Asociación Civil Impacta Salud y Educación, Lima, Perú.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Segura
authors.affiliation: 4 Asociación Civil Impacta Salud y Educación, Lima, Perú.|6 Department of Global Health, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Javier R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lama
authors.affiliation: 4 Asociación Civil Impacta Salud y Educación, Lima, Perú.|6 Department of Global Health, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.affiliation: 5 Vaccine and Infectious Disease & Public Health Science Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.|6 Department of Global Health, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duerr
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D063106:Transgender Persons / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Acute HIV infection; HIV testing; Latin America; men who have sex with men; transgender women