Home Self-Testing for HIV to Increase HIV Testing Frequency in Men Who Have Sex With Men (The iTest Study)
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About
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the availability of home self-testing for HIV will increase HIV testing frequency among men who have sex with men without negatively impacting their risk for HIV acquisition.
Full description
HIV counseling and testing remains one of the most effective HIV prevention interventions because many individuals newly diagnosed with HIV infection will alter their behaviors to reduce the risk of HIV transmission to others. In the U.S., men who have sex with men (MSM) represent the group with the greatest risk for HIV acquisition despite a high penetrance of testing, in part because their frequent exposures and infrequent testing can result in long intervals between HIV acquisition and diagnosis. Efforts to prevent HIV transmission among MSM must therefore increase the frequency of HIV testing and thereby decrease the time interval that infected individuals are unaware of their status and their potential for transmission. Home self-testing for HIV may increase the frequency of HIV testing, but there are concerns that it may also have negative consequences, including decreased access to risk reduction counseling.
We will randomize 246 MSM at high risk of HIV acquisition either to have access to home self-testing for HIV using the OraQuick ADVANCE® Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test or to standard, clinic-based HIV testing for 15 months to determine the effects of home self-testing availability on HIV testing frequency and markers of risk for HIV acquisition and to assess the acceptability and ease of use of home self-testing. After screening to determine eligibility, study visits will occur at baseline and at 15 months. Both visits will include HIV/STD screening and surveys regarding HIV testing and risk behaviors. During follow-up, participants will be asked to complete brief online surveys after testing for HIV.
Enrollment
Sex
Ages
Volunteers
Inclusion criteria
- Male
- Age ≥18
- Has sex with men
- HIV-negative
- Meets PHSKC HIV/STD Program definition of "high risk"
- Plans to live in Seattle for the next 15 months
Exclusion criteria
- Unable to safely and confidentially receive or store a home testing kit
Trial design
Primary purpose
Allocation
Interventional model
Masking
230 participants in 2 patient groups
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Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov
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