HIV self-tests: very young users – 28/11/2018

Since September 2015, HIV self-tests are for sale without prescription in pharmacy. In 2016, around 75,000 self-tests were sold. But who are their users? The Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, published a few days before the HIV Day, provides information on these.

HIV self-tests, available since 2015, are an additional tool for accessing testing. In particular, men who have bad with men (MSM) for whom the current recommendation is one test every three months. But who are the users of this recent device? The BEH editors reveal data from the gender-based survey, conducted online in a cross-cutting, anonymous, self-administered and voluntary way.

First observations, " a total of 18,069 men completed the survey questionnaire ", Say the editors. " The respondents (in the survey) were young (30 years in median), mostly born in France (93%) and graduates of higher education (65%). At 80%, they identified as homobaduals and were badually active.

Reluctant to go to health centers

Regarding the behavior with regard to screening, " less than half (49%) reported having been tested for HIV in the past year ", Note the authors. " Of these, 5% had used a self test during their last screening. "

These users are mostly very young men, 18-19 years old. " The self-test was also linked to the number of partners reported in the last six months, regardless of other variables They note. " Thus, the proportion of men who used a self-test when they were last screened was 3.3% among single-partners compared to 5.5% among those with two or more partners. "

Furthermore, " the choice of self-testing was also badociated with previous screening behaviors. Men reporting no STI testing (other than HIV) in the 12 months preceding the survey were significantly more likely to self-test than those reporting at least one (14.8% vs. 2.5%) ", The authors continue. Clearly, they were more reluctant to go to health centers to get tested.

" These results show the interest of this tool and plead for a wider availability, including secondary distribution. ", Conclude the BEH editors. " The latter […] consists in the redistribution to its partners and knowledge of a self-test. "