Journal article
An Internet-Based HIV Self-Testing Program to Increase HIV Testing Uptake Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Brazil: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Analysis
Journal of medical Internet research, Vol.21(8), p.e14145
08/01/2019
DOI: 10.2196/14145
PMCID: PMC6694730
PMID: 31373276
Abstract
Approximately 30% of people living with HIV worldwide are estimated to be unaware of their infection. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a strategy recommended by the World Health Organization to increase access to and uptake of testing among key populations who are at high risk for HIV infection.
This study aimed to describe the development and feasibility of a free, anonymous, internet-based HIVST strategy designed for men who have sex with men in Curitiba, Brazil (electronic testing [e-testing]).
The project was developed under the scope of the "A Hora é Agora" (The Time is Now) program. Individuals aiming to request an HIVST package (two tests each) answered an anonymous 5-minute questionnaire regarding inclusion criteria and sexual risk behavior. Eligible individuals could receive one package every 6 months for free. Website analytics, response to online questionnaires, package distribution, and return of test results were monitored via a platform-integrated system.
Between February 2015 and January 2016, the website documented 17,786 unique visitors and 3218 completed online questionnaires. Most individuals self-reported being white (77.0%), young (median age: 25 years, interquartile range: 22-31 years), educated (87.3% completed secondary education or more), and previously tested for HIV (62.5%). Overall, 2526 HIVST packages were delivered; of those, 542 (21.4%) reported a result online or by mail (23 reactive and 11 invalid). During the study period, 37 individuals who reported using e-testing visited the prespecified health facility for confirmatory testing (30 positive, 7 negative).
E-testing proved highly feasible and acceptable in this study, thus supporting scale-up to additional centers for men who have sex with men in Brazil.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- An Internet-Based HIV Self-Testing Program to Increase HIV Testing Uptake Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Brazil: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Analysis
- Creators
- Raquel Brandini De Boni - Instituto Evandro ChagasValdilea Gonçalves Veloso - Instituto Evandro ChagasNilo Martinez Fernandes - Instituto Evandro ChagasFlavia Lessa - Instituto Evandro ChagasRenato Girade Corrêa - Ministério da SaúdeRenato De Souza Lima - National Department of STI, AIDS, and Viral Hepatitis, Ministry of Health, Brailia, BrazilMarly Cruz - Escola Nacional de Saúde PúblicaJuliane Oliveira - Secretaria Municipal de SaúdeSimone Muniz Nogueira - Prefeitura Municipal de CuritibaBeto de Jesus - Escola Nacional de Saúde PúblicaToni Reis - Grupo Dignidade, Curitiba, BrazilNena Lentini - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Brazil, Brasilia, BrazilRaquel Lima Miranda - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Brazil, Brasilia, BrazilTrista Bingham - Center for Global HealthCheryl C Johnson - World Health OrganizationAristides Barbosa Junior - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Brazil, Brasilia, BrazilBeatriz Grinsztejn - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of medical Internet research, Vol.21(8), p.e14145
- DOI
- 10.2196/14145
- PMID
- 31373276
- PMCID
- PMC6694730
- NLM abbreviation
- J Med Internet Res
- ISSN
- 1438-8871
- eISSN
- 1438-8871
- Grant note
- PEPFAR UM1 AI069476 / NIAID NIH HHS 001 / World Health Organization
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 08/01/2019
- Academic Unit
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Record Identifier
- 9984771655602771
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