Amsterdam 2015
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| Abstract #3453 - Late Breaker | ||||
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Session: 47.6: Late Breaker (Parallel) on Friday @ 09.00-10.30 in C001 Chaired by Ophelia Haanyama, Chen Zhang Authors: Presenting Author: Dr Freke Zuure - Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Netherlands |
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| Additional Authors: | ||||
| Aim: An estimated 24% of all HIV infections in the Netherlands are undiagnosed. Earlier diagnosis of HIV will improve individual health outcomes and reduce further spread. Self tests for HIV may help to increase HIV test uptake by eliminating barriers of testing. However, there are concerns about test quality, counseling and medical follow up. The Amsterdam Public Health Service has initiated the HivTest@Home trial to develop and evaluate a service that provides reliable HIV self tests in combination with internet counseling for individuals at high risk for HIV, especially men who have sex with men (MSM) and migrants from HIV endemic countries. | ||||
| Method / Issue: Using MSM and migrant-specific media, a campaign aimed to motivate MSM and migrants to visit our project website (www.time2test.nl) to access our HIV self testing service. The website included information about HIV self testing, a short optional questionnaire measuring demographics, and the option to buy one or two HIV self test kits for 29,50 euro each, either online or via a pick-up location. The test kits included an oral fluid-based test, a manual, and a code to access online step-by-step instructions and post-test counseling. A total of 2000 test kits were available. A link to an online evaluation questionnaire measuring user satisfaction with the service, reasons for self testing, previous HIV testing behavior, HIV self test results and linkage to care was sent five weeks after website visit to participants who agreed to be contacted. | ||||
| Results / Comments: From August 2014 to May 2015 the website attracted ~25,000 visitors, of whom 1,200 accepted the terms and conditions and answered demographical questions. Of those, 74% were MSM, 89% were born in Europe, and median age was 34 years (IQR=24-44 yrs). A total of 450 tests were sold to 349 persons. Their demographic characteristics were similar to those who filled out the optional questions. A quarter ྺ% 90/349) of participants used the online instructions and counseling. So far, 11% ࿈/349) of the participants completed the evaluation questionnaire. The majority ࿸% 35/40) were satisfied or very satisfied with the self testing service. Immediate test results, time savings, the anonymous character of self testing, and the oral-fluid based test were the most prominent reasons for using the service. In total, 32% ྭ/40) were never tested for HIV before, whereas for 30% ྫྷ/40) their last test was more than 1 year ago. Six of 40 participants had not yet used their test, 31 reported a negative self test result, one reported a test failure, one person did not disclose his test result, and one person tested positive, went for confirmation testing and entered care. | ||||
| Discussion: Although the number of website visits is substantial, the uptake of self testing seems low. However, the data indicate that the service may attract individuals who do not regularly test for HIV, and participants seem positive about the service. Further data are needed to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of the service, and future studies should gain insight into the reasons for using or not using the service. | ||||
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