University Library
  • Login
A gateway to Melbourne's research publications
Minerva Access is the University's Institutional Repository. It aims to collect, preserve, and showcase the intellectual output of staff and students of the University of Melbourne for a global audience.
View Item 
  • Minerva Access
  • Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
  • Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
  • Melbourne School of Population and Global Health - Research Publications
  • View Item
  • Minerva Access
  • Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
  • Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
  • Melbourne School of Population and Global Health - Research Publications
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Rationale and design of FORTH: a randomised controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of HIV self-testing in increasing HIV testing frequency among gay and bisexual men

    Thumbnail
    Download
    Published version (977.2Kb)

    Citations
    Scopus
    Web of Science
    Altmetric
    7
    7
    Author
    Jamil, MS; Prestage, G; Fairley, CK; Smith, KS; Kaldor, JM; Grulich, AE; McNulty, AM; Chen, M; Holt, M; Conway, DP; ...
    Date
    2015-12-10
    Source Title
    BMC Infectious Diseases
    Publisher
    BMC
    University of Melbourne Author/s
    Fairley, Christopher; Chen, Marcus; Russell, Darren
    Affiliation
    Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
    University General
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Document Type
    Journal Article
    Citations
    Jamil, M. S., Prestage, G., Fairley, C. K., Smith, K. S., Kaldor, J. M., Grulich, A. E., McNulty, A. M., Chen, M., Holt, M., Conway, D. P., Wand, H., Keen, P., Batrouney, C., Bradley, J., Bavinton, B. R., Ryan, D., Russell, D. & Guy, R. J. (2015). Rationale and design of FORTH: a randomised controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of HIV self-testing in increasing HIV testing frequency among gay and bisexual men. BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES, 15 (1), https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-015-1300-6.
    Access Status
    Open Access
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/11343/258050
    DOI
    10.1186/s12879-015-1300-6
    Abstract
    BACKGROUND: Gay and bisexual men (GBM) are a major risk group for HIV acquisition, yet the majority of higher-risk GBM test for HIV less often than recommended (3-6 monthly). HIV self-testing has the potential to increase testing frequency and improve awareness of personal HIV status. HIV self-tests have been approved in some countries, however there are concerns whether self-testing would increase HIV testing frequency enough to compensate for the reduced sensitivity of self-tests in early infection. We describe here a randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of self-testing in increasing HIV testing frequency among higher-risk GBM, and its acceptability. METHODS/DESIGN: Participants are higher-risk HIV negative GBM (>5 partners or condomless anal intercourse in previous 3 months; n = 350), including 50 GBM who tested for HIV over two years ago or never tested before ('infrequent-testers'). Participants are recruited from sexual health clinics and community-based organisations, and randomised 1:1 to either self-testing or standard-care (routine clinic-based testing) arms. The trial employs a wait-list control design: participants in the standard-care arm switch to self-testing arm in the second year, and gain access to self-test kits. Participants in the self-testing arm receive four oral-fluid self-test kits at enrolment, with additional kits provided on request. Demographics, sexual behaviour and HIV testing preferences are collected at baseline, and the frequency and pattern of HIV and sexually transmissible infection (STI) testing is collected via online 3-monthly questionnaires. The acceptability of self-testing is assessed at 12 months via an online questionnaire and in-depth interviews. A 24-h telephone support is provided, with expedited follow-up of those with reactive self-test results. The primary outcome is HIV testing frequency (mean number of HIV tests per person) over 12 months, and the secondary outcomes are: mean number of STI tests (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis) per person; reasons for HIV testing; and acceptability of HIV self-testing. DISCUSSION: This is the first trial to evaluate the use of self-testing among GBM in Australia, and the first internationally among infrequent testers. The study will provide evidence on whether self-testing increases HIV testing frequency, and its acceptability among GBM. The findings will improve our understanding of self-testing patterns, and whether GBM supplement or replace their existing testing routine. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registration number: ACTRN12613001236785 , registered on November 12, 2013.

    Export Reference in RIS Format     

    Endnote

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format" and choose "open with... Endnote".

    Refworks

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format". Login to Refworks, go to References => Import References


    Collections
    • Minerva Elements Records [53102]
    • University General - Research Publications [467]
    • Melbourne School of Population and Global Health - Research Publications [5352]
    Minerva AccessDepositing Your Work (for University of Melbourne Staff and Students)NewsFAQs

    BrowseCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects
    My AccountLoginRegister
    StatisticsMost Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors