(Q30854)
Statements
Understanding how HIV self-testing (HIVST) can meet the testing needs of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and trans people whose social networks vary is key to upscaling HIVST implementation. (English)
BACKGROUND (English)
© 2024. The Author(s). (English)
2024
We aim to develop a contextual understanding of social networks and HIV testing needs among GBMSM (cis and transgender) and trans women in SELPHI (An HIV Self-testing Public Health Intervention), the UK's largest randomised trial on HIVST. (English)
BACKGROUND (English)
© 2024. The Author(s). (English)
2024
This study re-analysed qualitative interviews conducted from 2015 to 2020. (English)
METHODS (English)
© 2024. The Author(s). (English)
2024
Forty-three in-person interviews were thematically analysed using the Framework Method. (English)
METHODS (English)
© 2024. The Author(s). (English)
2024
Our analytic matrix inductively categorised participants based on the unmet needs for HIV testing and the extent of social network support. (English)
METHODS (English)
© 2024. The Author(s). (English)
2024
The role of social networks on HIVST behaviour was explored based on individuals' testing trajectories. (English)
METHODS (English)
© 2024. The Author(s). (English)
2024
Four distinct groups were identified based on their unmet testing needs and perceived support from social networks. (English)
RESULTS (English)
© 2024. The Author(s). (English)
2024
Optimisation advocates (people with high unmet needs and with high network support, n = 17) strived to tackle their remaining barriers to HIV testing through timely support and empowerment from social networks. (English)
RESULTS (English)
© 2024. The Author(s). (English)
2024
Privacy seekers (people with high unmet needs and with low network support, n = 6) prioritised privacy because of perceived stigma. (English)
RESULTS (English)
© 2024. The Author(s). (English)
2024
Opportunistic adopters (people with low unmet needs and with high network support, n = 16) appreciated social network support and acknowledged socially privileged lives. (English)
RESULTS (English)
© 2024. The Author(s). (English)
2024
Resilient testers (people with low unmet needs and with low network support, n = 4) might hold potentially disproportionate confidence in managing HIV risks without sustainable coping strategies for potential seroconversion. (English)
RESULTS (English)
© 2024. The Author(s). (English)
2024
Supportive social networks can facilitate users' uptake of HIVST by: (1) increasing awareness and positive attitudes towards HIVST, (2) facilitating users' initiation into HIVST with timely support and (3) affording participants an inclusive space to share and discuss testing strategies. (English)
RESULTS (English)
© 2024. The Author(s). (English)
2024
Our proposed categorisation may facilitate the development of differentiated person-centred HIVST programmes. (English)
CONCLUSIONS (English)
© 2024. The Author(s). (English)
2024
HIVST implementers should carefully consider individuals' unmet testing needs and perceived levels of social support, and design context-specific HIVST strategies that link people lacking supportive social networks to comprehensive HIV care. (English)
CONCLUSIONS (English)
© 2024. The Author(s). (English)
2024
Peter (English)
Weatherburn (English)
P
Talen (English)
Wright (English)
T
Phil (English)
Samba (English)
P
Emily Jay (English)
Nicholls (English)
EJ
Leanne (English)
McCabe (English)
L
Mitzy (English)
Gafos (English)
M
David T (English)
Dunn (English)
DT
Roy (English)
Trevelion (English)
R
Fiona M (English)
Burns (English)
FM
Alison J (English)
Rodger (English)
AJ
TCW received speaking honoraria from Gilead Sciences between 2017 and 2023. (English)
The remaining authors have no competing interests to declare. (English)