Promoting HIV Self-testing With Real-time Online Counseling for MSM in Hong Kong

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of a program promoting HIV self-testing (HIVST) with online real-time counselling (HIVST-online) among men who have with men (MSM) in Hong Kong. Participants Inclusion criteria are: i) Hong Kong Chinese speaking males aged ≥ 18 years old, ii) self-report having had anal sex with at least one man in the last six months, iii) willing to leave contacts (mobile phone and/or social media account), and iv) having access to online face-to-face communication tools like Line, Skype, or Facetime. Those having been diagnosed as HIV positive will be excluded. Design A total of 350 eligible MSM will be recruited and invited to participate the program, including 120 HIVST-online users in a HMRF project (ref#11120791) (re-testers), and 230 new prospective HIV testers (new-testers) through outreaching at gay venues (bars and saunas), internet and social media, and referrals made by participants. A brief baseline telephone survey will be conducted among all participants they are exposed to the components of the health promotion program. All participants will be followed up at Month 6 by phone/social media for outcome and process evaluation. Main outcome measures The primary outcome is whether the participant has taken up our HIVST-online service during a 6-month follow-up period. This behavioural outcome will recorded objectively by the HIVST administrators. Among those who had not taken up HIVST at Month 6, they will be contacted by social media to ask a few questions to assess secondary outcomes, which include: 1) whether having taken up any form of HIV testing other than HIVST-online and 2) intention to take up HIVST-online or other forms of HIV testing in the next six months. Process evaluation of the health promotion components (e.g., online video, MI, and project webpage) and the HIVST-online service (e.g., delivery of the HIVST kits, appointment making with HIVST administrators, pre- and post-test counseling) will also be conducted.