S08.3a How to realize implementation in HIV self-testing by distribution via the social network in China: A joined collaboration between stakeholders

Abstract

HIV self-testing (HIVST) had been widely used in China since 2012, but social network strategies were rarely used to improve HIVST coverage. This presentation reports a case of community-based social network distribution of HIVST among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). In 2016, UNC Project-China hosted an HIV testing intervention development designathon and invited eight teams from two provinces to contribute. The Zhuhai team designed an HIVST promotion proposal, which was a joint working plan between a community-based organization and the local CDC. They co-developed a social media platform for self-test kits application and results reporting, which successfully provided 600 kits to MSM in 2016. However, due to the lack of evidence-based intervention, the program failed to increase the testing coverage and lack of innovation. After that, the researchers in the UNC Project-China team brought in secondary distribution idea, which allows the index MSM to apply for multiple kits and distribute them to people in their social network. After the piloting, 373 index MSM successfully motivated 287 alters for testing, among whole 40% were new testers, and the HIV testing yield among alters was significantly higher than that among index MSM. In the following RCT, a monetary incentive and peer referral further improved the mean number of kits that were distributed by index MSM (MD=1·21, 95% CI: 0·77–1·65). The strategy strongly increased testing coverage and was further implemented at the provincial level. Opportunities Social-media platform provided an opportunity to reach a diverse index MSM Social-network distribution expanded the testing coverage A jointed collaboration increased the understanding of the needs of the community Challenges The proportion of index that willing to distribute kits is remaining low Did not involve in the alters for further distribution Did not take the key influencers into consideration