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The Evidence for HIV Self-Testing to Increase HIV Testing Rates and the Implementation Challenges that Remain

  • Behavioral-Bio-Medical Interface (RJ DiClemente and JL Brown, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

We describe the evidence regarding the impact of offering HIV self-testing (HIVST) and explore the gaps that need to be filled to design and implement HIVST programs.

Recent Findings

Numerous randomized controlled trials found that offering HIVST increases HIV testing rates. However, these trials used an oral HIVST that was provided for free and there is no research examining the impact of offering blood-based (finger prick) kits or charging for HIVST kits. The trials also used various methods for distributing the HIVST kits, but there is little research comparing distribution methods. Study participants varied in the HIV testing method they chose when given choices, suggesting that offering multiple HIV testing options may be needed to maximize testing rates.

Summary

Despite the consistent finding that offering HIVST increases HIV testing rates, questions remain that need to be answered in order to maximize the potential of this new biomedical technology.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, and CUNY Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, City University of New York, 55 West 125th Street, New York, NY, 10027, USA

    Elizabeth A. Kelvin

  2. Department of Community Health and Social Sciences, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, 55 West 125th Street, New York, NY, 10027, USA

    Bridget Akasreku

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Correspondence to Elizabeth A. Kelvin.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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The work presented in this article did not involve human or animal subjects.

Funding Information

Elizabeth A. Kelvin is supported by Einstein-Rockefeller-CUNY Center for AIDS Research [P30-AI124414] which is supported by the following National Institutes of Health (NIH) Co-Funding and Participating Institutes and Centers: NIAID, NCI, NICHD, NHBL, NIDA, NIMH, NIA, FIC, and OAR. Ms. Akasreku is supported by a CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy Dean’s Fellowship award.

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Kelvin, E.A., Akasreku, B. The Evidence for HIV Self-Testing to Increase HIV Testing Rates and the Implementation Challenges that Remain. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 17, 281–289 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-020-00504-3

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