Chatbot-Delivered Real-Time Support to Improve HIV Self-Testing Rates: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

HIV self-testing (HIVST) with online real-time support by human administrators (HIVST-OIC) is an evidence-based HIV intervention for men who have sex with men (MSM) but requires intensive resources to implement.

Objective

To investigate whether a novel HIVST service using a chatbot to deliver online real-time instruction and counseling support (HIVST-chatbot) is noninferior to the HIVST-OIC in increasing HIVST uptake and counseling support for MSM.

Design, setting, and participants

A partially blinded, parallel-group, and noninferiority randomized clinical trial was conducted between April 16, 2023, and May 31, 2024, in Hong Kong, China. Eligible participants were Hong Kong-based, Chinese-speaking MSM 18 years or older who reported anal intercourse with men

SUBMITTER: Chen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12645333 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature