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. 2014 May;18(5):905-12.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-013-0588-8.

Incentivizing HIV/STI testing: a systematic review of the literature

Ramon Lee  1 , Rosa R Cui, Kathryn E Muessig, Harsha Thirumurthy, Joseph D Tucker
Affiliations

Incentivizing HIV/STI testing: a systematic review of the literature

Ramon Lee et al. AIDS Behav. 2014 May.

Abstract

Suboptimal HIV/STI testing uptake has a profound impact on morbidity and mortality. Incentives have been effective in other areas of medicine and may improve HIV/STI testing uptake rates. This study reviewed the effects of incentives on HIV/STI testing uptake. A systematic search of seven databases was undertaken. Testing uptake was defined as test implementation and/or test result retrieval. Incentives were defined as monetary or non-monetary rewards or free-of-charge testing vouchers. Seven studies were included. All seven studies demonstrated higher rates of uptake in an incentivized group. Incentives offered at a non-clinical setting demonstrated more significant differences in uptake rates compared to incentives offered at a clinical setting. Incentivizing HIV/STI testing uptake, especially testing at a non-clinical setting, may be a useful tool to modify health behavior. Further research is needed to understand how incentives could be an effective component within a comprehensive HIV/STI control strategy.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of research study selection (original search completed June 2nd, 2013
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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