An innovative HIV testing service using the internet: Anonymous urine delivery testing service at drugstores in Beijing, China

PLoS One. 2018 Feb 22;13(2):e0192255. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192255. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Innovative human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing services will be needed to achieve the first 90 (90% of HIV-positive persons aware of their infection status) of the 90-90-90 target in China. Here, we describe an internet-based urine delivery testing service delivered through three pilot drugstores in Beijing that send specimens to a designated laboratory for HIV. From May 2016 to January 2017, we provided 500 HIV urine-testing service packs for display at the drugstores, and a total of 430 (86.0%) urine specimens were mailed back. All of the 430 urine specimens were of good quality and were tested. 70 urine specimens were HIV positive, showing a 16.3% (70/430) positivity rate. A total of 94.3% (66/70) of the HIV-positive participants obtained their test results through the internet, and 69.7% (46/66) of these participants received follow-up care. A total of 40 out of 46 (87.0%) participants agreed to have their results confirmed by a blood test, and 39 out of 40 (97.5%) participants were confirmed as HIV-1 positive, including two individuals that were previously diagnosed. Lastly, 28 out of 37 (75.7%) of the study participants were referred to the hospital and provided free antiviral treatment. Our data indicate that this innovative HIV testing service is effective and play an important role in HIV testing and surveillance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Serodiagnosis / methods*
  • China
  • Community Pharmacy Services / organization & administration*
  • Confidentiality*
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV Infections / urine
  • HIV-1
  • Humans
  • Urinalysis*

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Program to Establish and Implement Community-based Organization’s (CBO) Participation Mechanism in HIV/AIDS Control (OPP1120190) and the 12th Five-Year Plan (2013ZX10001001-001-007). The funder had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish and preparation of the manuscript.