Udi Davidovich*, Amsterdam Public Health Service, The Netherlands; Cluster of Infectious Diseases, Online Research and Prevention unit (ORP), Amsterdam, Netherlands Livia Kalma*, Amsterdam Public Health Service, The Netherlands; Cluster of Infectious Diseases, Online Research and Prevention unit (ORP), Amsterdam, Netherlands Esther Moekotte, University of Twente, Department of Technical and Professional Communication, Amsterdam, Netherlands Jannie Van Der Helm, Amsterdam Public Health Service, The Netherlands; Cluster of Infectious Diseases, Online Research and Prevention unit (ORP), Amsterdam, Netherlands Joyce Karreman, University of Twente, Department of Technical and Professional Communication, Amsterdam, Netherlands Track: Research Presentation Topic: Web 2.0 approaches for behaviour change, public health and biosurveillance Presentation Type: Oral presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Building: Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School Room: A-Pechet Room Date: 2012-09-15 02:45 PM – 03:30 PM Last modified: 2012-09-12

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Background: We developed a testing service called Testlab© within the national Dutch sexual-health site www.mantotman.nl, targeting men who have sex with men (MSM). The service enables to arrange online a testing package for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea & Chlamydia. Test results can be obtained online but, currently, if tested positive, the notification does not specify which test is positive but men are asked to visit the STI clinic for specific results. This is due to the present guidelines of only providing HIV-positive test results during personal contact. We performed a qualitative study into the acceptability and expected conditions for receiving computer-delivered positive test-notifications online for HIV and other STIs as a future option within Testlab.

Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted among 45 users (n=25) and non-users (n=20) of Testlab, both HIV negative and HIV positive MSM. After transcription, Flexible Content Analysis, using two independent raters and individual open coding procedures was used as the analysis method.

Results:
Data revealed that online STI positive test notifications enjoyed high acceptability when accompanied with enough informative support during the notification moment online. However, online HIV-positive test notification was perceived as less acceptable but was found to be congruent with today’s modern needs and expected features within the sexual health services. Requirements for provision of HIV-positive test results online were, among others: providing informative support before and after diagnosis, immediate personal (online) contact options after positive diagnosis, and a rigorous pre-test counseling aimed at assisting users in the decision whether to consent or not with receiving an HIV test result online.

Conclusions: Our findings provide clear guidelines for future best practice for providing positive test results for HIV and other STIs in settings that initially provide no personal contact with health-care professionals, such as online testing services or home testing.