Using a Social Network Strategy to Distribute HIV Self-Test Kits to African American and Latino MSM

This study was conducted in Alameda County, California, a large, urban/suburban county with an HIV epidemic mirroring the national HIV epidemic. Methods: From January 2016 to March 2017, 30 AAMSM, LMSM, and transgender women were trained as peer recruiters and asked to distribute 5 self-test kits to MSM social network members and support those who test positive in linking to care. Testers completed an online survey after their test. We compared peer-distributed HIVST testing outcomes to outcomes from Alameda County's targeted, community-based HIV testing programs using χ2 tests. Results: Peer-distributed HIVST to 143 social and sexual network members, of whom 110 completed the online survey. Compared with MSM who used the County's sponsored testing programs, individuals reached through the peer-based self-testing strategy were significantly more likely to have never tested for HIV (3.51% vs. 0.41%, P
Source: JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes - Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: Prevention Research Source Type: research