Increasing Engagement in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention Among Cisgender Women in New York City With Sexual Health Self-Testing Kits: A MaxDiff Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Despite accounting for approximately 20% of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses in the United States, cisgender women are consistently underrepresented and underengaged in HIV prevention services such as HIV testing and preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Black and Latina cisgender woman (BLCW) are disproportionately impacted by HIV, and face additional barriers to accessing prevention services due to racial/ethnic bias, sexism, and their intersection. Offering self-testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV is one potential strategy for increasing access to-and engagement in-preventative sexual health care among BLCW.

METHODS

We conducted a study in consultation with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) and their collaborators in order to identify preferences for sexual health kits-including HIV and STI tests-among BLCW in New York City.

RESULTS

We assessed the extent to which BLCW would be willing to accept and use HIV and STI self-testing. In addition, we identified the components of potential sexual health kits that would make them most attractive and would most increase the reach of a sexual health kit program in NYC. Finally, we examined differences in acceptability and preferences (by demographic factors, sexual behavior, and past service utilization) that may impact the development of future programs and interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-testing for STIs and HIV represents a promising strategy for engaging BLCW in preventative sexual health services and increasing access to care.