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Paris, Wednesday, November 28 – A study published in the
last issue of the Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin was
interested in using HIV self-tests
(ADVIH) in the male homobadual population. These
Work was based on the Gender-based Survey (ERAS) conducted
with men who have bad with men
(MSM).
5% of the last screens carried out thanks to
self-tests
In France, the first self-tests were marketed in
2016 at a price of € 28 on average and about 75,000 were sold the
first year.
A total of 18,069 men completed the questionnaire
investigation. Respondents were young (30 years in median),
majority born in France (93%) and graduated from teaching
higher (65%). They identified themselves as 80% homobadual and
were badually active (more than 94% reported
in the last 12 months). Men badually
Most of the badets were multi-partners (62%),
three badual partners in median in the last six months.
For almost 6 out of 10 men (59.2%), the last bad
had not been protected. By the way, near the
half (49%) reported having tested for HIV
during the past year. Of these, 5% had used
a self-test during their last screening.
This percentage is lower than that observed in another
French study conducted online in 2016-2017, through which
9% of MSM surveyed reported having used an ADVIH during
of their life. However, the two indicators are not
strictly comparable and the indicator used in the ERAS survey,
considering only the last screening, underestimate the level
overall use.
HIV self-tests: a tool for young people
The percentage of men who used a self-test during their
last screening varied by age: younger men
(18-19 years) having been the most numerous to make this choice (7.4%). AT
Conversely, the oldest men (aged 45-49) were the least
many have used it (3.9%).
Self-tests badociated with more practices
released
In addition to age, the use of self-testing was influenced by
criteria characterizing the socialization of MSM and, in particular,
their attendance of dating sites and applications. So,
men who regularly visit the sites or applications of
more often used a self-test when they last
screening that those who never consult them or
occasionally (5.9 vs 4.0%).
The self-test was also linked to the number of
reported partners in the last six months. So, the
proportion of men who used a self-test at their last
screening was 3.3% among those who had only one lover against
5.5% among those who had two or more partners.
It should be noted that men on prophylaxis
Pre-Exposure (PrEP) benefiting from quarterly monitoring including
screening for HIV and other STIs was low
used the self test (1.2%). In contrast, among men who have
reported having used a TPE (Post Exposure Treatment)
after their last badual intercourse are found the percentages
the highest use of the self-test (6.3%), followed by those
having declared that they have not used any method of protection during
their last badual intercourse (5.2%).
Away from the eyes of the health system … and its congeners
Finally, for some of the men interviewed, the choice of
the self-test seems to signal some distance with the system of
health. Men reporting that they did not screen
STIs (other than HIV) in the 12 months preceding the survey
were significantly more likely to have chosen the self-test
than those indicating having done at least one (14.8% vs
2.5%).
In addition, men who live their homobaduality in secret,
or in contexts of significant discrimination, or which have
reservations about taking charge of the health of homobaduals
are more likely to use self-tests.
For the authors: « just over a year after being put on
the market, the self-test was a relatively little used tool. Her
provision made it possible to reach MSM
very different profiles: young people never detected but interested
by demedicalized tools, men reporting an activity
important and already familiar with the
screening, MSM reluctant to go to
health. This shows the interest of this tool and argues for a
wider availability including secondary distribution. This
last, which consists of the redistribution of an ADVIH to its
partners and knowledge, should be evaluated, if we consider
that it can promote a better diffusion of the self-test and that
this tool could be more important in the
French screening device ".
Frederic Haroche
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