Effective strategies to promote HIV self-testing for men who have sex with men: Evidence from a mathematical model.

ABSTRACT:

Background

HIV testing is the gateway to HIV treatment and prevention. HIV self-testing (HIVST) has potential to increase testing; however, the potential population-level impact of HIVST on the HIV epidemic and the best strategies for promoting HIVST are unknown. Our aim is to inform public health approaches for promoting HIVST as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce HIV incidence.

Methods

Stochastic network-based HIV transmission models were used to estimate how different HIVST strategies would affect HIV incidence in Seattle and Atlanta over 10 years. We included four types of HIV testers and implemented nine replacement and eleven supplementation strategies for HIVST.

Results

Replacement of clinic-based tests with HIVST increased HIV incidence in Seattle and

SUBMITTER: Hamilton DT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8759720 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature