title: Willingness to distribute free rapid home HIV test kits and to test with social or sexual network associates among men who have sex with men in the United States.
abstract: Peer-driven HIV prevention strategies can be effective in identifying high-risk persons with undiagnosed infections. Besides individual self-testing, other potential uses of rapid home HIV test kits include distributing them, and testing with others within one's social or sexual networks. We sought to identify factors associated with the willingness to engage in these alternative activities among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. From May to October 2014, we surveyed 828 HIV-negative or unknown status MSM about multiple aspects of rapid home HIV testing. A greater proportion indicated being likely to distribute free oral fluid (OF) tests compared to free finger-stick blood (FSB) tests (91% versus 79%), and almost three-fourths (72%) reported being likely to test with their friends or sex partners in the future. MSM not identifying as homosexual/gay were less willing to distribute OF tests, and those with lower educational attainment were more willing to distribute FSB tests. MSM unaware of their HIV status were less likely to report potentially testing with others using free rapid home HIV tests compared to those who were HIV-negative. Finally, MSM willing to self-test were more likely to report future test kit distribution, and those willing to distribute kits were more likely to report potentially testing with others. Engaging individuals with positive attitudes towards these strategies in prevention efforts could help increase HIV testing levels among MSM. A greater understanding of the potential public health impact of rapid home HIV test kits is necessary.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences , University of Michigan School of Nursing , Ann Arbor , USA.
authors.forename: Akshay
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7864-5464
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: b Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention , National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , USA.
authors.forename: Pollyanna R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Chavez
authors.affiliation: b Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention , National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , USA.
authors.forename: Robin J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: MacGowan
authors.affiliation: b Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention , National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , USA.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: McNaghten
authors.affiliation: c Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing and Department of Medical Social Sciences , Northwestern University , Chicago , USA.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mustanski
authors.affiliation: d Department of Epidemiology , Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta , USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gravens
authors.affiliation: b Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention , National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , USA.
authors.forename: Arin E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.affiliation: d Department of Epidemiology , Emory University Rollins School of Public Health , Atlanta , USA.
authors.forename: Patrick S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Sullivan
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D000328:Adult; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
keywords: HIV test kit distribution; HIV testing with partners; Rapid home HIV testing; comprehensive HIV prevention; internet-using MSM