Facilitating Routine HIV Testing Among MSM by a Subscription-based HIV Self-test Distribution Model: a Stepped Wedge Randomised Controlled Trial
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Hiv
- Sponsor
- Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Enrollment
- 240
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Proportion of HIV tests performed with result returned
- Status
- Active, Not Recruiting
- Last Updated
- last month
Overview
Brief Summary
The goal of this stepped wedge trial is to assess if a subscription-based HIV self-test distribution model could facilitate routine HIV testing in the men who have sex with men community. The main questions it aims to answer are the effectiveness of the model in enhancing routine HIV testing and its acceptability in the community. The 1-year observation period would be divided into control and intervention period. Participants will be reminded to get HIV tested via instant messaging apps or short message service during the control period. During the intervention period, the researchers will deliver an HIV self-test to the participants. Researchers will compare the testing rate between the two periods to see if the intervention can facilitate HIV testing.
Detailed Description
Participants would be assigned randomly to a sequence group and crossed over from the control to intervention. In this study, the 1-year observation period is divided into four three-month intervals. All sequences would start with a control period. The three sequences would cross over to the intervention at Month 3, 6, and 9, respectively. All participants would therefore eventually receive intervention. The investigators adopt an mHealth approach for both control and intervention. Based on the results of a previous study that text messages through short message service (SMS) and instant messing (IM) apps are acceptable and feasible in promoting HIV self-management, participants during the control period would receive trimonthly text reminders through their designated IM app or SMS. The message would invite them to get HIV tested with free VCT service provider information. After 14 days, a follow-up message with the link to an online survey would be sent to enquire whether the participants had been tested or not. Participants during the intervention period would receive a trimonthly text messages asking them to choose a pickup point run by the delivery company to collect the free HIVST. Upon receiving the delivery instruction, the HIVST with bilingual (Chinese and English) instructions would be delivered to the designated location. Participants would be asked to perform the self-test and return the photographed result within 14 days. Similarly, after 14 days, a follow-up message with the link to an online survey would be sent to ask them to upload the photo of the test result. The uploaded images would be verified by the research team who are experienced in reading HIVST results both online and offline. Follow-up confirmation testing and medical service referral would be offered if the result was indeterminate or suspected to be positive. If the results were not returned after 14 days, an exit survey would be sent to the participants through IM apps or SMS.
Investigators
Tsz Ho Kwan
Research Assistant Professor
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •be aged 18 years or above
- •be biologically male
- •have ever had sex with another men
- •have more than 1 male sex partners in the past 6 months
- •normally reside in Hong Kong
- •be able to communicate in written and spoken Chinese or English
Exclusion Criteria
- •previously HIV diagnosis
- •unable or unwilling to give informed consent, to complete the questionnaires, to receive text messages as scheduled and when necessary, and to provide the mobile phone number to receive text messages for reminders and delivery notices
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Proportion of HIV tests performed with result returned
Time Frame: Month 3 to Month 12
Number of HIV self-test results returned divided by the total number of HIV self-tests delivered
Retention rate
Time Frame: Month 12
Proportion of participants completed the questionnaire at Month 12
Secondary Outcomes
- HIV incidence(Month 3 to Month 12)
- Linkage to care rate(Month 3 to Month 12)
- Single ease question(Month 3 to Month 12)
- Net promoter score(Month 3 to Month 12)
- System usability scale(Month 3 to Month 12)