PrEP Beyond the Clinic: Evaluation of a Home-Based PrEP Follow-Up System Among a Cohort of Predominantly Black and Latino Men who Have Sex with Men in South Florida

This pilot study demonstrated that a fully remote web-based testing programme for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections was feasible and acceptable overall, although participants encountered specific collection challenges with the dried blood spot component.

Comprehensive at-home sexually transmitted and blood borne infection (STBBI) testing program: A pilot study — Christensen et al., International journal of STD & AIDS · source ↗

• blood
• urine
• dried
• dbs
• self-collection
• acceptability
• sti

Non-invasive HPV self-sampling kits such as first-void urine and menstrual blood devices may increase screening participation among non-Western ethnic minority women by addressing cultural beliefs about virginity and body autonomy.

"Well, that Was Pretty Clever!"-Ethnic Minority Women's Views on HPV Self-Sampling Devices for Cervical Cancer Screening: Attitudes to Brushes, First-Void Urine, and Menstrual Blood Devices — Hald et al., Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities · source ↗

• acceptability
• first-void
• blood
• sti
• self-collection
• hpv
• urine

University branding increased trust and confidence in results, plain packaging promoted discretion, and colour‑coded bags with matching instructions reduced confusion; participants recommended instructional videos, tailored test options, real‑time introductions and personalised reminders to maximise return rates.

Lessons Learned From the Implementation of a Pilot Study on Self-collected Specimen Return by Sexual Minority Men (Project Caboodle!): Qualitative Exploration — Sallabank et al., JMIR formative research · source ↗

• blood
• urine
• capillary
• self-collection
• acceptability
• sti

Sexual minority men found finger-stick blood and rectal swabs more challenging to self-collect than other specimens. Barriers to returning samples included low confidence in self-collection and concerns about transit delays, while motivators were status confirmation and limited clinic access; real-time video support could improve uptake in future decentralised testing programmes.

Perceptions and Experiences of Returning Self-collected Specimens for HIV, Bacterial STI and Potential PrEP Adherence Testing among Sexual Minority Men in the United States — Sharma et al., AIDS and behavior · source ↗

• blood
• urine
• self-collection
• acceptability
• serology
• sti

Higher engagement in regular HIV and STI testing was associated with incident STIs and health seeking behaviours, and participants rated self-sampling as convenient.

Regular Testing of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections With Self-Collected Samples From Multiple Anatomic Sites to Monitor Sexual Health in Men Who Have Sex With Men: Longitudinal Study — Wong et al., JMIR formative research · source ↗

• acceptability
• blood
• sti
• self-collection
• serology
• urine