Top 5 Takeaways

1. Program Launch: TakeMeHome, a public-private partnership, was launched in March 2020 to distribute HIV self-test kits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Target Audience: The program primarily targeted gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (MSM), with a significant portion of participants having never tested for HIV before.
3. Program Reach: Seventeen state and local health departments participated, distributing 5,325 kits to 4,904 persons within the first year.
4. Follow-Up Services: Over 10% of respondents accessed additional prevention services after receiving their self-test kit, including STI testing and PrEP.
5. National Expansion: The program expanded nationally in February 2021, with 43,568 orders for 76,232 kits placed by July 2021.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Kevin P. Delaney, kdelaney@cdc.gov

Suggested Citation

Hecht J, Sanchez T, Sullivan PS, DiNenno EA, Cramer N, Delaney KP. Increasing Access to HIV Testing Through Direct-to-Consumer HIV Self-Test Distribution — United States, March 31, 2020–March 30, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1322–1325. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7038a2

Summary

The TakeMeHome program was launched in March 2020 to distribute HIV self-test kits during the COVID-19 pandemic. It targeted MSM and other disproportionately affected populations, providing a convenient and private testing option. The program successfully distributed 5,325 kits to 4,904 individuals in its first year, with many participants accessing additional HIV and STI prevention services afterward. The program expanded nationally in 2021, significantly increasing its reach.

Methods

The program utilized a centralized system to distribute HIV self-test kits, with eligibility criteria including residence in a participating zip code, age ≥18 years, and no HIV test in the past 12 months. Data were collected through a follow-up survey sent 10 days after kit distribution. The evaluation was conducted using SPSS software.

Discussion

The TakeMeHome program demonstrated the potential to reach populations hesitant to seek clinic-based testing, with significant uptake among MSM who had never tested for HIV. The program’s success was bolstered by partnerships with dating apps and social media promotions. However, challenges remain in documenting test usage and results, and there is a need for strategies to improve follow-up survey response rates.

Conclusion

HIV self-testing through the TakeMeHome program represents a significant shift in testing practices, supporting the goals of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. The program’s expansion and targeted marketing can further increase testing among disproportionately affected populations, helping to meet annual testing goals and improve access to prevention services.

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