Facilitating Routine HIV Testing Among MSM by a Subscription-based Self-test Distribution Model

Participants would be assigned randomly to a sequence group and crossed over from the control to intervention. In this study, the 1-year observation period is divided into four three-month intervals. All sequences would start with a control period. The three sequences would cross over to the intervention at Month 3, 6, and 9, respectively. All participants would therefore eventually receive intervention. The investigators adopt an mHealth approach for both control and intervention. Based on the results of a previous study that text messages through short message service (SMS) and instant messing (IM) apps are acceptable and feasible in promoting HIV self-management, participants during the control period would receive trimonthly text reminders through their designated IM app or SMS. The message would invite them to get HIV tested with free VCT service provider information. After 14 days, a follow-up message with the link to an online survey would be sent to enquire whether the participants had been tested or not. Participants during the intervention period would receive a trimonthly text messages asking them to choose a pickup point run by the delivery company to collect the free HIVST. Upon receiving the delivery instruction, the HIVST with bilingual (Chinese and English) instructions would be delivered to the designated location. Participants would be asked to perform the self-test and return the photographed result within 14 days. Similarly, after 14 days, a follow-up message with the link to an online survey would be sent to ask them to upload the photo of the test result. The uploaded images would be verified by the research team who are experienced in reading HIVST results both online and offline. Follow-up confirmation testing and medical service referral would be offered if the result was indeterminate or suspected to be positive. If the results were not returned after 14 days, an exit survey would be sent to the participants through IM apps or SMS.

Inclusion criteria

• be aged 18 years or above
• be biologically male
• have ever had sex with another men
• have more than 1 male sex partners in the past 6 months
• normally reside in Hong Kong
• be able to communicate in written and spoken Chinese or English

Exclusion criteria

• previously HIV diagnosis
• unable or unwilling to give informed consent, to complete the questionnaires, to receive text messages as scheduled and when necessary, and to provide the mobile phone number to receive text messages for reminders and delivery notices