AUTHOR=Xu Wenqian , Reipold Elena Ivanova , Zhao Peizhen , Tang Weiming , Tucker Joseph D. , Ong Jason J. , Wang Jinshen , Easterbrook Philippa , Johnson Cheryl Case , Jamil Muhammad S. , Wang Cheng 

TITLE=HCV Self-Testing to Expand Testing: A Pilot Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.903747

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.903747

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus self‑testing (HCVST) may increase test uptake especially among marginalised key populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM). We conducted an observational study to assess the usability, acceptability and feasibility of HCVST among MSM in China.

Methods: An observational study with convenience sampling was performed among MSM in Guangzhou, China in 2019. The OraQuick® HCV Rapid Antibody Test kits were used in this study. Participants performed all 12 HCVST steps and interpreted the results in the presence of a trained observer. Usability was defined as the number and percentage of participants who completed all testing steps correctly without assistance and interpreted the results correctly. Acceptability was assessed using an interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire.  

Results: Among 100 participants with median age 26 (interquartile range 23–30) years, 4% reported prior history of HCV testing, 42% reported using blood-based HIV self-testing in the past, 54% completed all self-testing steps correctly without assistance and interpreted the results correctly. Both the inter-reader and inter-operator concordance were excellent at 97% and 96%, respectively. The majority rated the HCVST process as very easy (52%) or easy (41%), 76% were willing to use HCVST again, and 75% would recommend it to their family and friends.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that oral fluid HCVST has high usability and acceptability among Chinese MSM. More implementation research is needed to plan how best to position and scale-up HCVST alongside other facility-and community-based testing approaches and ensure data linkage into health systems.