Increasing access to HIV testing for men who have sex with men in Japan using digital vending machine technology

KANEKO, Noriyo, SHERRIFF, Nigel, TAKAKU, Michiko, VERA, Jaime H., PERALTA MAHECHA, Carlos, IWAHASHI, Kohta, ISHIDA, Toshihiko and MIRANDOLA, Massimo (2022). Increasing access to HIV testing for men who have sex with men in Japan using digital vending machine technology. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 33 (7), 680-686.

[img]
Preview
PDF
10.1177_09564624221094965.pdf - Published Version
Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (645kB) | Preview
Official URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/095646242...
Open Access URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/09564... (Published version)
Link to published version:: https://doi.org/10.1177/09564624221094965

Abstract

Background: In Japan, most new HIV cases are reported amongst men who have sex with men (MSM); thus, there is an urgent need for further widespread testing of MSM. The use of Digital Vending Machines (DVM) in the UK offering HIV test kits targeting MSM show promising results. Digital Vending Machines could be useful to promote and increase the uptake of testing in Japan, although no studies have yet been conducted. We aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of distributing HIV test kits using DVMs exploring needs and concerns as well as preferred types of test kits and locations. Methods: Fifty-four individuals participated in workshops and meetings with a further 224 MSM answering a quantitative survey assessing HIV testing and prevention needs. Results: Amongst MSM who had never been tested, 73% showed willingness to purchase tests from DVMs. Responses were broadly positive about DVMs but there were concerns regarding being seen receiving test kits from the machines and linkage to confirmatory testing and appropriate care. Conclusions: Using DVMs to distribute HIV test kits in Japan was found to be both acceptable and feasible and may have the potential to increase access to testing for MSM. Future large-scale evaluation studies are required.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: ** Embargo end date: 03-05-2022 ** From SAGE Publishing via Jisc Publications Router ** Licence for this article starting on 03-05-2022: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ **Journal IDs: pissn 0956-4624; eissn 1758-1052 **Article IDs: publisher-id: 10.1177_09564624221094965 **History: published_online 03-05-2022; accepted 24-03-2022; submitted 21-01-2022
Uncontrolled Keywords: Original research articles, HIV testing, self-sampling, Japan, vending machine, men who have sex with men
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1177/09564624221094965
Page Range: 680-686
SWORD Depositor: Colin Knott
Depositing User: Colin Knott
Date Deposited: 13 Jun 2022 11:48
Last Modified: 12 Oct 2023 11:32
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/30308

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics