New paper on "Motivations and values associated with chemsex" just published. Click here to see all outputs from our qualitative study on chemsex among gay men.

Barriers & facilitators to HIV self-testing among UK MSM

Innovative strategies such as HIV self-testing (HIVST) could increase testing rates and diagnosis in a variety of populations but evidence to inform the design of an HIVST intervention in the UK is scarce. This qualitative study aimed to understand values and preferences for HIVST among MSM in the UK. We explore the acceptability of HIVST in the context of known barriers and facilitators to testing for HIV; assess preferences for, and the concerns about, HIVST. Six focus group discussions were conducted with 47 MSM in London, Manchester and Plymouth. Convenience and confidentiality of HIVST was seen to facilitate testing. Issues with domestic privacy problematised confidentiality. The window period was the most important element of an HIVST intervention, with strong preference for 4^th generation testing. Kits which used a blood sample were more popular than those using saliva due to higher perceived accuracy although aversion to needles and/or blood meant some would only access HIVST via a saliva option. A range of access options was important to maintain convenience and privacy. HIVST kits were assumed to increase frequency of testing, with concerns related to the dislocation of HIV testing from sexual health services. Utility of HIVST arises from relatively high levels of confidentiality and convenience but until 4^th generation assays are available HIVST will be seen as supplementary in a UK context.

aidsmap story on the article