298247
Pilot evaluation of men who have sex with men's ability to self-administer rapid HIV tests and interpret test results, Atlanta, Georgia, 2013
Men who have sex with men (MSM) represent approximately 60% of incident HIV cases in the U.S. and may benefit from frequent HIV testing. As a preliminary step to assessing whether providing MSM with rapid HIV tests increases testing frequency, we evaluated how well a sample of MSM could self-administer rapid HIV tests and interpret test results.
Methods:
22 MSM were recruited from prior HIV-related studies. Participants were provided written and video instructions and were observed self-administering the OraQuick® In-Home HIV Test (OraQuick) and the SURE CHECK® HIV 1/2 Rapid HIV Test (Sure Check). Staff verified results. Participants completed online assessments that included interpreting pictures of HIV test results.
Results:
At enrollment 17(77%) reported being HIV-negative, 5(23%) HIV-positive; 19(86%) had post-high school education; and 12(55%) were non-Hispanic Black. Twenty-one of 22 (95%) correctly conducted the OraQuick test; one spilled the vial contents. All 22 correctly interpreted their own OraQuick results. Eighteen of 21 (86%) correctly conducted the Sure Check test, 3 had operational errors, and 1(5%) did not conduct the Sure Check test. All 21 correctly interpreted their own Sure Check result (4 HIV+, 14 HIV-, 3 invalid). Percent of pictures correctly interpreted: OraQuick–Positive 98.44%, Negative 100%, Invalid 80.95%; Sure Check–Positive 94.29%, Negative 92.86%, Invalid 80.95%.
Conclusions:
Most participants successfully self-administered rapid HIV tests and all correctly interpreted their results. Interpretation of images depicting invalid results was problematic. Data are needed on the sensitivity and specificity of self-administered rapid HIV tests performed by MSM.
Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practicePublic health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Describe how well a sample of MSM were able to self-administer rapid HIV tests and interpret test results.
Keyword(s): HIV Interventions, Men’s Health
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: IDE not required by FDA for use of Sure Check HIV rapid test
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I serve as an Epidemiologist in the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention and work on HIV testing projects, including projects related to rapid HIV testing and internet-based projects.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.