Opportunities and Challenges of HIV Self-Testing for GBTQ2+ Men in Ontario: Perspectives from HIV/AIDS Service Providers

This report has been commissioned by the Gay Men’s
Sexual Health Alliance (GMSH) in response to the
potential approval by Health Canada of HIV Self Testing
(HIVST) technology, specifically the INSTI HIV Antibody
Test in the near future. Consultations were done
with front-line service providers at HIV/AIDS Service
Organizations (ASO) representing agencies in urban,
rural, and northern communities. The staff who were
consulted work in frontline positions, predominantly
or specifically with GBTQ2S+ men. A representative
from the AIDS Bureau at the Ministry of Health and
researchers exploring the acceptability of HIVST
technology in Canada were also consulted. This report
will be shared with the provincial office of the Gay
Men’s Sexual Health Alliance who will in turn present
the findings back to the ASO and front-line workers who
contributed their knowledge and time to its creation.