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

• DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03422-6
• Publication Date: 2021-08-18T14:03:20Z
• Authors: Melanie Gwynn; Pollyanna R. Chavez; Craig B. Borkowf; Jerris L. Raiford; Laura Gravens; Robin J. MacGowan
• Keywords: Male; Sexual Behavior; HIV Infections; United States; 3. Good health; Sexual and Gender Minorities; 03 medical and health sciences; Sexual Partners; 0302 clinical medicine; 5. Gender equality; Humans; Homosexuality, Male

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.