JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

HIV testing (HIVST) remains low among people at risk. HIV self-testing via the workplace is a novel approach to increase availability and access to testing among men. However, both access and linkage to post-test services remains a challenge.

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of HIVST in workplace settings on the uptake of HIV testing services and linkage to treatment and prevention services among men employed in private security services in Uganda.

Methods:

This is a two-arm cluster randomized trial involving men at private security companies in two Ugandan districts. The participants in the intervention clusters will undergo workplace-based HIV self-testing, using OraQuick® test kits. Those in the control clusters will receive routine HIV testing services at their work premises. In addition to HIV testing services, participants in both the intervention and control arms will undergo other tests and assessments which include blood pressure assessment, blood glucose and body mass index measurement and rapid diagnostic testing for syphilis. The primary outcome is the uptake of HIV-testing while secondary outcomes include testing yield, proportion of participants initiating ART during the first three months following HIV test results, and proportion of participants linked to care, treatment and prevention services.

Results:

Participant enrollment for the WISe-Men Trial commenced in February 2020 and is still recruiting study participants at the time of this submission. Follow up for currently enrolled participants continues.

Conclusions:

The WISe-Men trial will provide information regarding whether self-testing at worksites increases uptake of HIV testing, linkage to care and prevention services at male-dominated workplaces in Uganda. Clinical Trial: Clinicaltrials.gov, ID: NCT04164433; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04164433.