ArticleBMC public health2026
Evaluating peer navigation in promoting digital secondary distribution of HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men in China: study protocol for a two-arm randomized controlled trial.
Article in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundIn China, the HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) is still rising, with a large proportion of people never tested for HIV in this group. HIV self-testing (HIVST) offers a user-empowered approach in expanding testing coverage. Peer navigation, recognized for its effectiveness in supporting MSM in HIV care, is proposed here as a potential enhancement to HIVST. This study aims to evaluate peer navigation in promoting digital secondary distribution of HIVST among MSM in China.
methodsWe plan to recruit 400 participants (indexes) identified as key nodes in the network using our previously developed algorithm, RiskRank, via the BlueD platform. RiskRank is a method to prioritize nodes for targeted interventions by incorporating their topological features on the multilayer complex networks and considering the underlying epidemic dynamics. The eligible participants will be randomized into the intervention group (peer navigation) and the control group in a 1:1 allocation ratio. In the intervention group, 20 peer navigators will be recruited and trained. Each peer navigator will provide the peer navigated intervention to 10 participants (indexes). The peer navigation process consists of three modules ([BHSD], [SSDE], and [CFPS]). In the control group, we will implement the standard HIVST secondary distribution we have developed before. The index will distribute the HIVST kits to the alters, leveraging their existing social connections to try to make the kits reach those who may not have access to traditional testing services. All index participants will be requested to complete a baseline survey and a 3-month follow-up survey. Both indexes and alters will complete a survey upon returning the results, by taking a photo of the used kits with the unique identification number. DISCUSSION: HIV testing rate remains to be below the desired levels among MSM in China. Creative approaches like peer navigation are essential to enhance HIV testing uptake among key populations. The findings of the trial can offer valuable scientific evidence and insights into promoting the secondary distribution of HIV self-testing (HIVST) to reach key populations not yet reached by current testing services.
trial registrationThe study has been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2400093985; Date of Registration: 16 December, 2024; Protocol Version: R3.
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