MSM HIV testing following an online testing intervention in China

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Scaling up HIV testing is essential for the HIV treatment continuum.
• Controlling the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) is a public health priority.
• Online interventions can facilitate HIV testing among hard-to-reach populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine sociodemographic and spatial factors associated with HIV testing among MSM post-intervention.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to HIV testing uptake in this population.
• To inform targeted strategies for increasing HIV testing coverage.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of data from an online HIV testing intervention among MSM who had never tested for HIV.
• Survey data collected from online networks across China.
• Univariate and multivariable analyses to determine factors associated with testing three weeks post-intervention.

Main Results:

• 36% of 624 MSM completed HIV testing three weeks post-intervention.
• Factors associated with testing included having money for sex, prior STI testing, and intimate partner violence experience.
• Students were less likely to test (AOR=0.69), and moderate provincial spatial variation in testing was observed.

Conclusions:

• While high-risk MSM showed higher testing rates, specific subgroups like students had lower uptake.
• Targeted strategies are needed to enhance HIV testing within specific MSM communities.
• Addressing sociodemographic and spatial disparities is key to scaling up HIV testing.