EXPERIENCES USING HIV SELFTESTING AMONG GAY, BISEXUAL MEN ANDOTHER CISGENDERMEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN: QUALITATIVE RESULTS OFA BLOOD BASED HIV SELF TESTING STUDY IN ARGENTINA

HIV/TB Research 3 Mar 2024

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BACKGROUND HIV self testing ( is not available in Argentina yet A greater understanding of the experiences of potential users among key populations in Latin America and the Caribbean is needed to inform decisions on future implementation In February August 2021 a pilot study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of HIVST among transgender women ( and gay, bisexual and other cisgender men having sex with men ( attending an HIV testing service at an NGO in Buenos Aires metropolitan area Initially, 149 GBMSM were provided with three HIVST kits to be performed on a monthly basis after an initial demonstration and training and a first negative HIVST Median age was 26 (IQR 23 31 91 8 had secondary education or higher Median number of sexual partners during the last six months was 5 (IQR 3 7 21 9 mentioned having used drugs in the last six months and 18 4 were engaged in some form of sex work in the last six months Upon completion a qualitative study was carried out to explore the experiences of participants with HIVST.