Increasing the uptake of HIV testing among men who have sex with men
This is an extract from the guidance. The complete guidance is available at guidance.nice.org.uk/ph34
5 Recommendations for research
The Public Health Interventions Advisory Committee (PHIAC) recommends that the following research questions should be addressed. It notes that 'effectiveness' in this context relates not only to the size of the effect, but also to cost effectiveness and duration of effect. It also takes into account any harmful or negative side effects.
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What interventions provide an effective and cost effective way of increasing awareness and uptake of HIV testing among men who have sex with men (at population, community and individual level)? How does HIV testing affect the subsequent sexual behaviour of men who have sex with men? How does this differ by the test result and population factors such as gender, age, sexuality, faith and culture?
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What interventions provide an effective and cost effective way of changing risky sexual behaviour after an HIV test (positive or negative)? What mechanisms lead to change and what, in particular, is effective with higher risk sub-groups?
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Are home sampling and home testing kits a reliable, effective and cost effective method of increasing the uptake of HIV testing among men who have sex with men?
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What interventions and approaches help reduce the stigma associated with HIV testing and a positive diagnosis among professionals, men who have sex with men and the wider population?
More detail on the gaps in the evidence identified during development of this guidance is provided in appendix D.