The study of feasibility and acceptability of using HIV self-tests in high-risk Iranian populations (FSWs, MSM, and TGs): a cross-sectional study

• Published in: Harm reduction journal 2022-06, Vol.19 (1), p.61-61, Article 61
• Main Authors: Moradi, Ghobad, Amini, Elnaz Ezzati, Valipour, Azam, Tayeri, Katayoon, Kazerooni, Parvin Afsar, Molaeipour, Leila, Moradi, Yousef
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acceptability; Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS; COVID-19; Cross-sectional studies; Demographic aspects; Diagnosis; Evaluation; Feasibility studies; Female sex worker; Females; Gays & lesbians; Harm reduction; Health aspects; High-risk population; HIV; HIV home tests; HIV infection; HIV self-test; HIV testing; Home medical tests; Human immunodeficiency virus; Infections; Iranian; Men who have sex with men; Mens health; MSM (Men who have sex with men); Population; Populations; Prevention; Prostitutes; Qualitative research; Questionnaires; Risk; Risk groups; Sample size; Sampling methods; Self testing; Self tests; Sexually transmitted diseases; Transgender people; Transgender persons; Womens health
• ISSN: 1477-7517; 1477-7517
• DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00641-5

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using the HIV self-test in high-risk Iranian groups (MSM, FSWs, and TGs). This study was a mixed study designed as a quantitative-qualitative study conducted between October 1, 2020, and June 22, 2021, in Tehran and Karaj, Iran. The sample size needed for this study generally was 1000 people, including FSWs, MSM, and transgender individuals. Convenience and snowball sampling methods were used to collect the samples. A total of 930 eligible respondents were enrolled in the study, of whom 456 (49%) were female and 49 (5.3%) were transgender (98% of TGs were male to female), and their mean age was 33.63 years (10.54 SD). The feasibility of using HIV self-tests in Iranian high-risk groups was significantly high. The majority of participants (97%) did not have any confidentiality problems while preparing or performing the test. In general, feasibility was assessed based on five questions. The overall feasibility score was 6.33 (0.824 SD). Taking tests, reading HIV test results, finding a safe place to do the test, and accessing HIV self-tests showed a high average. HIV self-testing was highly acceptable and feasible among high-risk populations, so routine HIV testing was efficiently possible.