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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Feb;26(2):623-630.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-021-03422-6. Epub 2021 Aug 18.

Pressure to Use HIV Self-Tests Among Men Who Have Sex With Men, United States, 2015-2016

Melanie Gwynn  1   2 , Pollyanna R Chavez  3 , Craig B Borkowf  3 , Jerris L Raiford  3 , Laura Gravens  4 , Robin J MacGowan  3 ; eSTAMP Study Group
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Pressure to Use HIV Self-Tests Among Men Who Have Sex With Men, United States, 2015-2016

Melanie Gwynn et al. AIDS Behav. 2022 Feb.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

To assess whether pressuring others to use HIV self-tests is prevalent among US men who have sex with men (MSM), we analyzed data from a randomized controlled trial of HIV self-testing. Among 752 online-recruited MSM who received HIV self-tests and responded to a 12-month survey, 8.5% (60/709) reported pressuring someone to use an HIV self-test: 29 pressured a friend, 28 pressured a sexual partner, and 1 pressured a family member. Conversely, 2.1% (15/715) reported being pressured to self-test: 12 by a sexual partner and 3 by a friend. No physical harm was reported. HIV prevention programs that use HIV self-tests to reach populations at risk for HIV may be reassured by our findings because, despite reports of pressure to use HIV self-tests, no physical abuse was reported between sex partners. These programs should, however, include messages emphasizing the voluntary use of HIV self-tests and be prepared to address concerns of persons who have been pressured to use HIV self-tests. This trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02067039) and the date of registration is February 5, 2014.

Analizamos los datos de un ensayo controlado aleatorio (ECA) de 12 meses para evaluar si presionar a alguien a que utilice la autoprueba del VIH es una ocurrencia frecuente entre hombres estadounidenses que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) reclutados via el internet. Entre 752 HSH que recibieron por correo autopruebas del VIH y que respondieron a una encuesta a los 12 meses del ECA, el 8.5% (60/709) informó haber presionado a alguien a que usara una autoprueba del VIH: 29 presionaron a un amigo, 28 presionaron a una pareja sexual y uno presionó a un miembro de su familia. Por el contrario, el 2.1% (15/715) informó haber sido presionado a usar la autoprueba: 12 por una pareja sexual y 3 por un amigo. Ningun participante reporto daños físicos. Los programas de prevención del VIH que utilizan autopruebas del VIH para alcanzar a poblaciones a riesgo de contraer el VIH, pueden sentirse tranquilizados por nuestros hallazgos porque, a pesar de los reportes de presión para usar las autopruebas del VIH, no se reporto abuso físico entre parejas sexuales. Sin embargo, los programas deben incluir mensajes que enfaticen el uso voluntario de las autopruebas del VIH y estar preparados para calmar las preocupaciones de las personas que han sido presionadas a usar las autopruebas del VIH. El ensayo está registrado en www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02067039) y la fecha de registro es el 5 de febrero de 2014.

Keywords: Coercion; HIV; Men who have sex with men (MSM); Pressure; Self-test.

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References

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