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.

[1]  M. Friend,et al.  Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2016 , 2013 .

[2]  Michael Rayment,et al.  Prevention of HIV-1 infection with early antiretroviral therapy , 2012, Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care.

[3]  A. Carballo-Diéguez,et al.  Will Gay and Bisexually Active Men at High Risk of Infection Use Over-the-Counter Rapid HIV Tests to Screen Sexual Partners? , 2012, Journal of sex research.

[4]  P. Halkitis,et al.  Evaluation of the Relative Effectiveness of Three HIV Testing Strategies Targeting African American Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in New York City , 2011, Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine.

[5]  Travis Sanchez,et al.  Reasons for Not HIV Testing, Testing Intentions, and Potential Use of an Over-the-Counter Rapid HIV Test in an Internet Sample of Men Who Have Sex With Men Who Have Never Tested for HIV , 2011, Sexually transmitted diseases.

[6]  P. Sullivan,et al.  Attitudes Towards Couples-Based HIV Testing Among MSM in Three US Cities , 2011, AIDS and Behavior.

[7]  M. Reece,et al.  The Internet as a Valuable Tool for Promoting a New Framework for Sexual Health among Gay Men and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men , 2011, AIDS and Behavior.

[8]  M. Chiasson,et al.  ‘Never Testing for HIV’ Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Recruited from a Sexual Networking Website, United States , 2011, AIDS and Behavior.

[9]  David V Glidden,et al.  Preexposure chemoprophylaxis for HIV prevention in men who have sex with men. , 2010, The New England journal of medicine.

[10]  B. Levin,et al.  Use of a Rapid HIV Home Test to Screen Sexual Partners: An Evaluation of its Possible Use and Relative Risk , 2009, AIDS and Behavior.

[11]  S. Dooley,et al.  Accessing social networks with high rates of undiagnosed HIV infection: The social networks demonstration project. , 2009, American journal of public health.

[12]  U. Parashar,et al.  Prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis among infants and children: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). , 2009, MMWR. Recommendations and reports : Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Recommendations and reports.

[13]  Atlanta,et al.  Revised recommendations for HIV testing of adults, adolescents, and pregnant women in health-care settings. , 2006, MMWR. Recommendations and reports : Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Recommendations and reports.

[14]  Gary Marks,et al.  Meta-analytic Examination of Online Sex-Seeking and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Men Who Have Sex With Men , 2006, Sexually transmitted diseases.

[15]  M. Fishbein,et al.  Differences in Risk Behavior and Sources of AIDS Information Among Gay, Bisexual, and Straight-Identified Men Who Have Sex with Men , 1998, AIDS and Behavior.

[16]  S. Kalichman,et al.  Men Who Have Met Sex Partners via the Internet: Prevalence, Predictors, and Implications for HIV Prevention , 2002, Archives of sexual behavior.

[17]  Peter H. Reingen,et al.  Social Ties and Word-of-Mouth Referral Behavior , 1987 .

[18]  Mary T. Curren,et al.  Attributional influences on consumers' desires to communicate about products , 1987 .