Pilot phase of an internet-based RCT of HIVST targeting MSM and transgender people in England and Wales: advertising strategies and acceptability of the intervention
Abstract Background The SELPHI study (An HIV Self-Testing Public Health Intervention) is an online randomised controlled trial (RCT) of HIV self-testing (HIVST). The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of recruiting UK men who have sex with men (cis and trans) and trans women who have se...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12879-019-4247-1 |
| _version_ | 1818417370587201536 |
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| author | T. Charles Witzel Michelle M. Gabriel Leanne McCabe Peter Weatherburn Mitzy Gafos Andrew Speakman Roger Pebody Fiona M. Burns Chris Bonell Fiona C. Lampe David T. Dunn Denise Ward Justin Harbottle Andrew N. Phillips Sheena McCormack Alison J. Rodger |
| author_facet | T. Charles Witzel Michelle M. Gabriel Leanne McCabe Peter Weatherburn Mitzy Gafos Andrew Speakman Roger Pebody Fiona M. Burns Chris Bonell Fiona C. Lampe David T. Dunn Denise Ward Justin Harbottle Andrew N. Phillips Sheena McCormack Alison J. Rodger |
| author_sort | T. Charles Witzel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The SELPHI study (An HIV Self-Testing Public Health Intervention) is an online randomised controlled trial (RCT) of HIV self-testing (HIVST). The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of recruiting UK men who have sex with men (cis and trans) and trans women who have sex with men to the SELPHI pilot, and the acceptability of the HIVST intervention used among those randomised to receive a kit. Methods A mixed-methods approach to assessing trial feasibility and intervention acceptability was taken, using quantitative data from advertising sources and RCT surveys alongside qualitative data from a nested sub-study. Results Online recruitment and intervention delivery was feasible. The recruitment strategy led to the registration of 1370 participants of whom 76% (1035) successfully enrolled and were randomised 60/40 to baseline testing vs no baseline testing. Advertising platforms performed variably. Reported HIVST kit use increased from 83% at two weeks to 96% at three months. Acceptability was very high across all quantitative measures. Participants described the instructions as easy to use, and the testing process as simple. The support structures in SELPHI were felt to be adequate. Described emotional responses to HIVST varied. Conclusions Recruiting to a modest sized HIVST pilot RCT is feasible, and the recruitment, intervention and HIVST kit were acceptable. Research on support needs of individuals with reactive results is warranted. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T12:05:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8421d202ea514d83b3fee0ebd687f5e2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2334 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T12:05:42Z |
| publishDate | 2019-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj.art-8421d202ea514d83b3fee0ebd687f5e22022-12-21T23:01:52ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342019-08-0119111310.1186/s12879-019-4247-1Pilot phase of an internet-based RCT of HIVST targeting MSM and transgender people in England and Wales: advertising strategies and acceptability of the interventionT. Charles Witzel0Michelle M. Gabriel1Leanne McCabe2Peter Weatherburn3Mitzy Gafos4Andrew Speakman5Roger Pebody6Fiona M. Burns7Chris Bonell8Fiona C. Lampe9David T. Dunn10Denise Ward11Justin Harbottle12Andrew N. Phillips13Sheena McCormack14Alison J. Rodger15Sigma Research, Department of Public Health, Environments & Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineMRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCLMRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCLSigma Research, Department of Public Health, Environments & Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineMRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCLInstitute for Global Health, UCLNAM AidsmapInstitute for Global Health, UCLDepartment of Public Health, Environments & Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineInstitute for Global Health, UCLMRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCLMRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCLSH:24Institute for Global Health, UCLMRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCLInstitute for Global Health, UCLAbstract Background The SELPHI study (An HIV Self-Testing Public Health Intervention) is an online randomised controlled trial (RCT) of HIV self-testing (HIVST). The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of recruiting UK men who have sex with men (cis and trans) and trans women who have sex with men to the SELPHI pilot, and the acceptability of the HIVST intervention used among those randomised to receive a kit. Methods A mixed-methods approach to assessing trial feasibility and intervention acceptability was taken, using quantitative data from advertising sources and RCT surveys alongside qualitative data from a nested sub-study. Results Online recruitment and intervention delivery was feasible. The recruitment strategy led to the registration of 1370 participants of whom 76% (1035) successfully enrolled and were randomised 60/40 to baseline testing vs no baseline testing. Advertising platforms performed variably. Reported HIVST kit use increased from 83% at two weeks to 96% at three months. Acceptability was very high across all quantitative measures. Participants described the instructions as easy to use, and the testing process as simple. The support structures in SELPHI were felt to be adequate. Described emotional responses to HIVST varied. Conclusions Recruiting to a modest sized HIVST pilot RCT is feasible, and the recruitment, intervention and HIVST kit were acceptable. Research on support needs of individuals with reactive results is warranted.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12879-019-4247-1HIV self-testingMen who have sex with menTransgender peopleRandomised controlled trialOnline service deliveryImplementation science |
| spellingShingle | T. Charles Witzel Michelle M. Gabriel Leanne McCabe Peter Weatherburn Mitzy Gafos Andrew Speakman Roger Pebody Fiona M. Burns Chris Bonell Fiona C. Lampe David T. Dunn Denise Ward Justin Harbottle Andrew N. Phillips Sheena McCormack Alison J. Rodger Pilot phase of an internet-based RCT of HIVST targeting MSM and transgender people in England and Wales: advertising strategies and acceptability of the intervention BMC Infectious Diseases HIV self-testing Men who have sex with men Transgender people Randomised controlled trial Online service delivery Implementation science |
| title | Pilot phase of an internet-based RCT of HIVST targeting MSM and transgender people in England and Wales: advertising strategies and acceptability of the intervention |
| title_full | Pilot phase of an internet-based RCT of HIVST targeting MSM and transgender people in England and Wales: advertising strategies and acceptability of the intervention |
| title_fullStr | Pilot phase of an internet-based RCT of HIVST targeting MSM and transgender people in England and Wales: advertising strategies and acceptability of the intervention |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pilot phase of an internet-based RCT of HIVST targeting MSM and transgender people in England and Wales: advertising strategies and acceptability of the intervention |
| title_short | Pilot phase of an internet-based RCT of HIVST targeting MSM and transgender people in England and Wales: advertising strategies and acceptability of the intervention |
| title_sort | pilot phase of an internet based rct of hivst targeting msm and transgender people in england and wales advertising strategies and acceptability of the intervention |
| topic | HIV self-testing Men who have sex with men Transgender people Randomised controlled trial Online service delivery Implementation science |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12879-019-4247-1 |
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