Facilitators and barriers to active recall for HIV/STI testing of MSM
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Facilitators and barriers to active recall for HIV and STI testing of MSM at high risk of HIV infection in Genitourinary Medicine clinics
IRAS ID
129591
Contact name
Monica Desai
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
North Central London Research Consortium
Research summary
Men having sex with men (MSM) who engage in high risk sexual behaviour are at greatest risk of HIV infection in the UK and rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continues to rise. Current UK policy recommends ‘at least annual’ HIV testing for this group, but there is a case for more frequent HIV and STI testing. This study explores what factors encourage or dissuade MSM to return for a repeat HIV/STI test when they are reminded to do so.
Mortimer Market Centre (MMC) is a sexual health centre that sees over 7000 MSM per year for sexual healthcare. They have recently started to remind MSM who have unprotected anal sex to return for an HIV/STI test in 3-6 months time using text message reminders. This study has two parts. In the first, it will ask HIV negative MSM attending the service to fill out a questionnaire asking them about their sexual behaviour, how likely they are to return for a HIV/STI test and how they would like to be reminded to return.
In the second part, a sample of these men who have agreed to participate will be asked to have a more in-depth conversation about what would encourage or dissuade them from returning for HIV/STI testing and how they would like to be reminded.
This study is funded by the British HIV Association and will inform local and national HIV testing and prevention policies.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/YH/0347
Date of REC Opinion
19 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion