Location:
Level 6, Seminar Room Wallace Wurth Building UNSW Australia Sydney NSW 2052
Open to
All
Contact for enquiriesÂ
Rata Joseph +61 (0)2 9385 0900 rjoseph@kirby.unsw.edu.au
The Kirby Institute is pleased to present:
Dr Muhammad Jamil- Research Officer- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program/Sexual Health Program- Kirby Institute
"Effect of access to HIV self-testing on HIV testing frequency among gay and bisexual men at higher risk of infection (FORTH): a wait-list randomized controlled trial."
Please RSVP for catering/dietary purposes to rjoseph@kirby.unsw.edu.au by Monday 1st August 2016.
Lunch served at 12.30 in Atrium area followed by seminar at 1pm.
Tuesday 2nd August 2016
Seminar: 1pm - 2pm
Abstract:
Gay and bisexual men are at a higher risk of HIV infection with about 70% of new HIV diagnoses in Australia occurring in this population. Frequent testing of individuals at higher risk of infection is central to current prevention strategies. Clinical guidelines recommend higher-risk gay and bisexual men to test 3-6 monthly for HIV, yet testing rates remain low. HIV self-testing has the potential to increase HIV testing frequency. Despite the potential benefits, there is little evidence on increase in testing frequency that could be achieved with it. We conducted the first randomized trial to evaluate if access to HIV self-testing would increase HIV testing frequency among gay and bisexual men who had tested for HIV within the past two years and those who had not (FORTH: Frequency of Oral Rapid Testing at Home). This presentation will focus on the main findings of FORTH trial.
Bio:
Dr Muhammad Shahid Jamil is a research officer and PhD candidate in the Sexual Health Program at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia. His PhD is focusing on interventions to increase HIV testing among gay and bisexual men, in particular, evaluation of rapid and self-testing for HIV. Most recently has been coordinating a randomized trial evaluating the use of HIV self-testing among gay and bisexual men.