SynthesisJournal of the International AIDS Society2024
Social network-based approaches to HIV testing: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Journal of the International AIDS Society, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Social Network-Based Strategies for HIV Testing Among Women: A Systematic Review.Archives of sexual behavior · 2026Pooled it
- Motivations, Facilitators, and Barriers of Donation-Based Interventions in HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Research: A Systematic Review.JAMA network open · 2025Pooled it
- Randomized Controlled Trial of Game Changers, a Social Network Intervention for HIV Prevention in Uganda.AIDS and behavior · 2026Trial
- Visualizing stigma and HIV service engagement: a participatory approach using causal loop diagrams.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Examining Intrapersonal and Social Environment Factors Associated with Condom Use and HIV Testing Among Young Adult MSM Living in Beirut, Lebanon.AIDS and behavior · 2026Article
- Social network distribution of HIV self-tests among MSM in Australia: a prospective, non-randomised trial.The Lancet regional health. Western Pacific · 2026Article
- Leveraging social networks to expand HIV self-testing among culturally diverse MSM in Australia: insights from a CFIR-informed process evaluation.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Perceived barriers and facilitators to the feasibility and acceptability of a peer-to-peer (P2P) HIV self-testing distribution model among adolescents and young people aged 15-24 years in Uganda: a qualitative study.BMJ public health · 2026Article
- Optimizing peer-led health interventions: A social network analysis approach for identifying influential fishermen in Malawi.PLOS global public health · 2026Article
- Trend and Associated Factors for Late and Advanced HIV Diagnoses in 2011-2022 in Melbourne, Australia.Journal of medical virology · 2025Article
- Beyond behavioural change: prioritising structural solutions to control bacterial sexually transmitted infections.EClinicalMedicine · 2025Review
- Perspectives of migrant men who have sex with men and professionals on personal, social and structural barriers and facilitators to sexual healthcare access and outreach strategies: A qualitative study.Journal of migration and health · 2025Article
- Incidence of HIV infection and associated factors among men who have sex with men in Zhejiang, China: a cohort study.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
- HIV self-testing knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Asian-born gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Australia: a qualitative study.Frontiers in public health · 2024Article
- Designing community-based strategies to reach non-household contacts of people with tuberculosis in Lusaka, Zambia: a rapid qualitative study among key stakeholders.Frontiers in public health · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
Abstract
introductionSocial network-based testing approaches (SNAs) encourage individuals ("test promoters") to motivate sexual partners and/or those in their social networks to test for HIV. We conducted a systematic review to examine the effectiveness, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of SNA.
methodsWe searched five databases from January 2010 to May 2023, and included studies that compared SNA with non-SNA. We used random-effects meta-analysis to combine effect estimates. Certainty was assessed using the GRADE approach.
resultsWe identified 47 studies. SNA may increase uptake of HIV testing compared to non-SNA (RR 2.04, 95% CI: 1.06-3.95, Low certainty). The proportion of first-time testers was probably higher among partners or social contacts of test promoters using SNA compared to non-SNA (RR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.22-1.81, Moderate certainty). The proportion of people who tested positive for HIV may be higher among partners or social contacts of test promoters using SNA compared to non-SNA (RR 1.84, 95% CI: 1.01-3.35, Low certainty). There were no reports of any adverse events or harms associated with SNA. Based on six cost-effectiveness studies, SNA was generally cheaper per person tested and per person diagnosed compared to non-SNA. Based on 23 qualitative studies, SNA is likely to be acceptable to a variety of populations. DISCUSSION: Our review collated evidence for SNA to HIV testing covering the key populations and the general population who may benefit from HIV testing. We summarized evidence for the effectiveness, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of different models of SNA. While we did not identify an ideal model of SNA that could be immediately scaled up, for each setting and population targeted, we recommend various implementation considerations as our meta-analysis showed the effectiveness might differ due to factors which include the testing modality (i.e. use of HIV self-testing), type of test promoters, long or short duration of recruitment and use of financial incentives.
conclusionsSocial network-based approaches may enhance HIV testing uptake, increase the proportion of first-time testers and those testing positive for HIV. Heterogeneity among studies highlights the need for context-specific adaptations, but the overall positive impact of SNA on HIV testing outcomes could support its integration into existing HIV testing services.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.