Context: Home sample collection (HSC) tests allow persons to test themselves for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection at home without medical supervision. Characterizing the use of such tests can help assess their potential effect on public health efforts to prevent and control HIV.
Objective: To describe use of HIV HSC tests.
Design: Retrospective descriptive analysis from data collected by test manufacturers during 1996 and 1997.
Setting: United States.
Participants: Volunteer sample of consumers who used either of 2 HSC tests.
Main outcome measures: Demographic and behavioral aspects of users.
Results: During the first year of availability, 174316 HIV HSC tests were submitted to the manufacturers for analysis; 0.9% of the results were positive for HIV, and 97% of all users called to learn test results. Survey responses from 70620 HIV-negative and 865 HIV-positive users revealed that most were men, white, and aged 25 to 34 years; HIV prevalence was highest among nonwhites, aged 35 to 44 years, men who have sex with men, and injection drug users. Bisexual men accounted for a large proportion of HIV-positive users. Nearly 60% of all users and 49% of those who tested HIV positive had never been tested before. Telephone counselors found that 23% of HIV-positive users already had a source of follow-up care, 65% accepted referrals, and 12% had tested themselves to evaluate the effects of antiretroviral therapy.
Conclusions: Home sample collection tests for HIV were used by persons who were at risk for HIV and by persons who did not use other testing. Most HIV-positive users either had a source of medical care or received referrals.