Online self-sampling kits for human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted infections: Feasibility, positivity rates, and factors associated with infections in France.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men are increasingly diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STI) in France. To address this situation, quarterly screening for HIV combined with hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV), as well as annual screening for C.trachomatis (CT) and N.gonorrhoeae (NG) are recommended. The MemoDepistages program offered an at-home screening solution for these infections. This study describes the feasibility of this screening process, the rate of positive test results, and the factors associated with positivity. METHODS: Participants were recruited online. Laboratories verified the quantity and quality of the samples. Logistic regression was used to determine the associated factors for infection. RESULTS: Overall, 1556 out of 1908 (81.6%) blood samples were tested for at least HIV. A total of eight participants (0.5%) were newly diagnosed with HIV and four with HCV (0.3%). No new infection was confirmed for HBV. Overall positivity was 9.3% for CT and 9.6% for NG. The highest positivity was reported in rectal swabs for CT (7.3%) and in pharyngeal swabs for NG (7.2%). Factors associated with extragenital CT/NG were age under 30 years (for pharyngeal and rectal infections) and having at least 10 partners in the past 6 months (p<0.001) (for pharyngeal infections only). CONCLUSIONS: The self-sampling kit for multiple STIs can perform comprehensive tests and identify new infections in young people, especially in extragenital sites.