Geospatial Prioritization to Reach Hispanic or Latino and Other Priority Populations Through HIV Home Testing Services. Issue 3 (23rd May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosenthal, Elizabeth M.; Tesoriero, James M.; Flavin, Susan M.; Yuan, Yingchao; Sullivan, Thomas T.; Johnson, Megan C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of public health management and practice. Volume 29:Issue 3(2023)
• Page Start: 336
• Page End: 344
• Publication Date: 2023-05-23
• Subjects: HIV -- HIV self-test -- human immunodeficiency virus -- in-home HIV test -- men who have sex with men; Public health administration -- United States -- Periodicals; 253.6
• DOI: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000001700
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1078-4659

Abstract

Abstract : Context: Hispanic or Latino men who have sex with men (HLMSM) are disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York State (NYS) and nationally. In 2019, HLMSM comprised 13% of all new diagnoses and 21% of new diagnoses among men who have sex with men (MSM) in NYS excluding New York City. HIV home testing programs are effective methods for increasing HIV testing. Objective: This pilot sought to determine whether the NYS HIV Home Test Giveaway (HHTG) can effectively reach priority populations, specifically HLMSM/transgender/gender nonconforming persons who have sex with men, to increase uptake of HIV home testing services and identify new HIV infections. Design/Setting: We recruited participants using media campaigns linked to a brief self-administered eligibility survey. Eligible participants provided their e-mail address to receive a code for a free HIV home test and were sent a self-administered follow-up survey 4 to 11 weeks after eligibility survey completion. Participants: The 2018 and 2019 NYS HHTG reached 1214 and 1340 participants, respectively. A total of 606 participants in 2018 and 736 participants in 2019 were eligible to receive the HHTG home test kit. Main Outcome Measure(s): HHTG utilization and test results. Results: Hispanic or Latino persons participated at higher rates (34.8% and 25.4% in 2018 and 2019, respectively) than the percentage of Hispanic men in prioritized zip codes (15.7% and 15.6% in 2018 and 2019, respectively). The majority of participants who received HHTG test kits used them to test themselves (87.5% in 2018 and 90.6% in 2019). Across both rounds, 4 participants reported new HIV-positive results, for a seropositivity rate of approximately 1%. Conclusion: Geospatial prioritization was successful in reaching Hispanic or Latino priority populations for HIV testing. HIV self-testing programs such as the HHTG are beneficial methods to reach priority populations for state and national Ending the HIV Epidemic initiatives.