Background:
HIV testing is the first step to accessing both HIV treatment and prevention services. HIV self-testing is a key strategy for overcoming barriers to HIV testing.
Methods:
The Together TakeMeHome (TTMH) program is a CDC-sponsored, direct-to-consumer, HIV self-test distribution program. CDC’s Let’s Stop HIV Together campaign implemented marketing on platforms including social media, dating apps, and search and display advertising. Marketing was primarily to men who have sex with men (MSM), especially Black and Hispanic MSM, Black women, and transgender women. Building Healthy Online Communities developed messages and in-app buttons in partnership with dating apps including Grindr and BLK. Persons ages 17+ in the US and Puerto Rico were eligible to order 1-2 HIV self-tests every 90 days. Ordering wasn’t restricted by prior HIV diagnosis or PrEP usage, but persons reporting ARV use were encouraged to give ordered HIV self-tests to others. A short survey was offered post-order with an opt-in for follow-up surveys. Ten- and 60-day follow-up surveys on their HIV self-test experience were conducted.
Results:
In March 2023, TTMH launched, with 181,558 orders placed in the first 9 months. Most orders (86%) were for two tests, with 337,812 total tests distributed. Most participants (109,956, 62%) came from the Grindr app. Sixty percent (108,715) of all orders contained enough information to describe participants in terms of the priority populations. Of these 61% were from men reporting male partners in the past 12 months (18% from Black MSM and 33% from Hispanic MSM), 10.7% from gender diverse persons, and 10% from Black women. Most orders (26%) were placed by persons who had never tested for HIV, or who had last tested >12 months ago (27%). Over half of participants, 86,143 (56.5%) opted into follow-up communications and as of December 11, 2023, 5,294 (6.1%) completed the 10-day survey. Among them, 109 (2.1%) reported a positive result with the HIV self-test, 6.5% sought additional STI testing, and 4.5% self-reported starting PrEP after receiving the self-test.
Conclusions:
Overall, the TTMH program has very high demand, with many persons from priority populations accessing HIV testing for the first time. Many sought additional clinical services after HIV self-testing. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the demand for HIV self-testing and how it may fit into their patient care, including preparing for discussions about HIV follow-up testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis and treatment.