Barriers and strategies to enhance uptake of HIV self-testing among men who have sex with Men: A restricted review

Adepoju, Victor Abiola; Udah, Donald Chinazor; Jamil, Safayet; Ali, Habib Mohammad; Chowdhury, ABM Alauddin; Akash, Sajidur Rahman

doi:10.21608/mid.2024.281888.1886

Barriers and strategies to enhance uptake of HIV self-testing among men who have sex with Men: A restricted review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

¹ Department of HIV and Infectious Diseases, Jhpiego, an affiliate of John Hopkins University, Abuja, Nigeria

² JSI Research and Training Institute Inc. (JSI), Abuja, Nigeria

³ Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh

⁴ Department of Media Studies and Journalism, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), Mohammadpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh

⁵ Department of Public health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh

⁶ Department of Pharmacy, Bangladesh University, Dhaka

10.21608/mid.2024.281888.1886

Abstract

Background: This restricted review examines the barriers and facilitators to HIV self-testing (HIVST) among men who have sex with men (MSM), a key population significantly affected by HIV/AIDS. Despite advancements in HIV testing methods, MSM continue to face unique challenges due to stigma, discrimination, and criminalization, which hinder their access to conventional HIV testing services. This review aims to identify strategies to increase the uptake of HIVST among MSM and provide actionable recommendations based on these findings.

Method: We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Rigorous searches were conducted across various databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, DOAJ, CrossRef, ResearchGate, and the Cochrane Library. The review includes qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research published between 2013 and 2022.

Result: We found range of barriers to HIVST uptake, including age, education level, and socio-economic status. Conversely, factors such as perceived high-risk behavior, internet access, and confidentiality emerged as facilitators of HIVST among MSM. The review also identifies effective strategies to enhance HIVST uptake, including peer distribution, incentivization, mobile health interventions, and subsidized or free distribution of HIVST kits.

Conclusion: The review underscores the importance of HIVST in increasing access to HIV testing among MSM, a critical step towards achieving the UNAIDS 95:95:95 goal. It highlights the need for innovative, tailored approaches that address the unique challenges faced by MSM. The insights gained from this review are vital for informing public health policies, enhancing screening and prevention programs, and improving HIVST accessibility for MSM.

Keywords