What do Key Stakeholders Think About HIV Self-Testing in Canada? Results from a Cross-Sectional Survey

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15335256
AutoresNitika Pant Pai (0000-0002-4672-0500, McGill University Health Centre, autor de correspondencia), Megan Smallwood (0000-0002-7731-488X, McGill University Health Centre), Divyansh Gulati (Maastricht University), N Lapczak (McGill University Health Centre), Alexandra Musten (0000-0002-2175-6590, Reach Technologies (Canada)), Charlotte A Gaydos (0000-0002-1021-3195, Johns Hopkins University), C Gaydos, C Johnston (0000-0002-4795-2151), Carrie D Johnston (0000-0002-2828-8718, Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange), Marc Steben (0000-0002-1136-3208, Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec), Tom Wong (0000-0002-4678-1055, Public Health Agency of Canada), Nora Engel (0000-0002-1823-3908, Maastricht University), J Kim (0000-0001-6997-6173), Ju-Hwan Kim (0000-0001-8762-5553)
Año2017
Volumen22
Número2
Páginas606-615
Fecha de publicación2017-04-24
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAIDS and Behavior (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1090-7165 • E-ISSN: 1573-3254
EditorialSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s10461-017-1764-z
PMID28439755
OpenAlexW2608803834
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas13

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) self-testing presents an empowering alternative to facility-based testing for reaching undiagnosed HIV infected individuals, but is not currently available in Canada. We surveyed stakeholders (clinical providers, public health professionals, researchers) engaged in HIV testing initiatives nationwide to identify the concerns, opportunities and challenges to implementing HIV self-testing in Canada. An online cross-sectional survey was disseminated by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Centre for REACH 2.0 National HIV & sexually transmitted and blood borne infections working group to stakeholders nationwide, with a target sample size of 200. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using a mixed-methods, respondent-informed approach, to inform subsequent HIV self-testing in a country where self-testing is not yet accessible. A total of 183 responses were received. A majority (70.7%) (128/181) felt that self-testing was a necessary investment to reach the undiagnosed. 64.6% (117/181) felt that self-tests should be made available to their clients and 71.5% (128/179) of respondents agreed that self-test instructions required improvements. However, 50% (90/180) felt that self-testing will pose an economic challenge to current HIV testing models. Regardless, 21% urged for timely action and availability of HIV self-tests. Thematic analyses reflected the following concerns: (a) need for affordable self-tests, (b) need for expedited, customized, and accessible linkages to counselling, (c) concern for patients to cope with positive self-test results, (d) accuracy of self-tests to detect acute HIV and (e) liability in the context of non-disclosure. Stakeholders agreed to the provision of an option of HIV self-testing to reach the undiagnosed individuals. Concerns regarding costs and accuracy of self-tests, expedited linkages to counselling, and integration of self-test within prevailing HIV testing models, will need to be addressed before their widespread implementation

Context (archaeology · Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Family medicine · Health psychology · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Political science · Public health · Qualitative research · Respondent · Test (biology · Thematic analysis · HIV Research and Treatment · HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Nursing