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Perkins JM, Kakuhikire B, Baguma C, Jeon S, Walker SF, Dongre R, Kyokunda V, Juliet M, Satinsky EN, Comfort AB, Siedner MJ, Ashaba S, Tsai AC. Male circumcision uptake and misperceived norms about male circumcision: Cross-sectional, population-based study in rural Uganda. J Glob Health 2023; 13:04149. [PMID: 38112224 PMCID: PMC10731132 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.04149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Over the past decade, 15 high-priority countries in eastern and southern Africa have promoted voluntary medical male circumcision for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention. The prevalence of male circumcision in Uganda nearly doubled from 26% in 2011 to 43% in 2016, but remains below the 2020 target level. Little is known about how common male circumcision is perceived to be, how accurate such perceptions are, and whether they are associated with men's own circumcision uptake. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of all adult residents of eight villages in Rwampara District, southwestern Uganda in 2020-2022. We elicited their perceptions of the adult male circumcision prevalence within their village: >50% (most men), 10% to <50% (some), <10%, (few to none), or do not know. We compared their perceived norms to the aggregated prevalence of circumcision reported in these villages. We used a modified multivariable Poisson regression model to estimate the association between perceived norms and personal circumcision uptake among men. Results We surveyed 1566 participants (91% response rate): 698 men and 868 women. Among the men, 167 (27%) reported being circumcised, including 167/444 (38%) men <50 years of age. Approximately one-fourth of the population (189 (27%) men and 177 (20%) women) believed that few to no men in their own village had been circumcised. In a multivariable regression model, men who underestimated the prevalence of male circumcision were less likely to be circumcised themselves (adjusted relative risk (aRR) = 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.37-0.83). Conclusions In this population-based study in rural Uganda, one-fourth of men underestimated the prevalence of male circumcision. Men who underestimated the extent of circumcision uptake were themselves less likely to be circumcised. If the observed association is causal and underestimates within the population contribute to low uptake, then interventions correcting these misperceived norms could increase uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Perkins
- Department of Human and Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Charles Baguma
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Sehee Jeon
- Department of Human and Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sarah F Walker
- Department of Human and Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Rohit Dongre
- Department of Human and Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Viola Kyokunda
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Mercy Juliet
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Emily N Satinsky
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alison B Comfort
- Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, University of California, San Franciso, California, USA
| | - Mark J Siedner
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Alexander C Tsai
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Matoga MM, Kudowa E, Ndalama B, Bonongwe N, Mathiya E, Jere E, Kamtambe B, Chagomerana M, Chasela C, Jewett S, Hosseinipour MC. Effectiveness of an intervention to increase uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision among men with sexually transmitted infections in Malawi: a preinterventional and postinterventional study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e072855. [PMID: 37788927 PMCID: PMC10552000 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect a multistrategy demand-creation and linkage intervention on voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) uptake, time to VMMC and predictors of VMMC uptake among men with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). DESIGN Pragmatic preinterventional and postinterventional quasi-experimental study combined with a prospective observational design. SETTING A public and specialised STI clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi. POPULATION Uncircumcised men who presented to the STI clinic. METHODS AND INTERVENTION The intervention consisted of transport reimbursement ('R'), intensified health education ('I') and short-messaging services/telephonic tracing ('Te'), abbreviated (RITe). A preintervention phase was conducted at baseline while RITe was rolled-out in the intervention phase in a sequential manner called implementation blocks: 'I' only-block 1; 'I+Te'-block 2 and RITe-block 3. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary: VMMC uptake and time to VMMC for the full intervention and for each block. Secondary: predictors of VMMC uptake. RESULTS A total of 2230 uncircumcised men presented to the STI clinic. The mean age was 29 years (SD±9), 58% were married/cohabiting, HIV prevalence was 6.4% and 43% had urethral discharge. Compared with standard of care (8/514, 1.6%), uptake increased by 100% during the intervention period (55/1716, 3.2%) (p=0.048). 'I' (25/731, 113%, p=0.044) and RITe (17/477, 125%, p=0.044) significantly increased VMMC uptake. The median time to VMMC was shorter during the intervention period (6 days, IQR: 0, 13) compared with standard of care (15 days, IQR: 9, 18). There was no significant incremental effect on VMMC uptake and time to VMMC between blocks. Men with genital warts were 18 times more likely to receive VMMC (adjusted relative risk=18.74, 95% CI: 2.041 to 172.453). CONCLUSIONS Our intervention addressing barriers to VMMC improved VMMC uptake and time to VMMC among uncircumcised men with STIs, an important subpopulation for VMMC prioritisation. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04677374.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitch M Matoga
- University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | - Naomi Bonongwe
- University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Esther Mathiya
- University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Edward Jere
- University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | | | - Charles Chasela
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sara Jewett
- Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mina C Hosseinipour
- Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Rosen JG, Toomre T, To C, Olatunde PF, Cooper L, Glick JL, Park JN. Communicative appeals and messaging frames in visual media for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis promotion to cisgender and transgender women. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2023; 25:1007-1023. [PMID: 36074902 PMCID: PMC9992445 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2022.2116111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Women in the USA represent 15% of new HIV diagnoses but only 5% of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users. We sought to characterise communicative appeals and messaging frames used in US visual media to cultivate PrEP demand among cisgender and transgender women using content analysis methodology. We catalogued and coded media items (images and videos) from US PrEP marketing campaigns featuring women. Production and content characteristics were abstracted, and communicative appeals from media items were qualitatively coded in duplicate. We then descriptively summarised production and content characteristics and identified discrete subgroups of media items, clustering around specific messaging frames, through qualitative thematic analysis. Racial/ethnic minorities and sexual/gender minority women were heavily featured, and numerous media items leveraged cognitive and social communicative appeals to promote PrEP. We identified three unique messaging frames emerging from coded media items, portraying PrEP as: (1) necessary prevention (protection frame), (2) a desirable yet accessible commodity (aspiration frame), and (3) a conduit to sexual autonomy (empowerment frame). To effectively communicate PrEP information and promote PrEP to women, PrEP marketing should leverage alternative appeals (subjective norms, self-efficacy), address anticipated barriers to uptake (stigma, cost, medication interactions), and deconstruct misconceptions of PrEP use(rs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G. Rosen
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Teagan Toomre
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - C To
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Praise F. Olatunde
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lyra Cooper
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Glick
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ju Nyeong Park
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Center for Biomedical Research Excellence on Opioids and Overdose, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
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Ong KS, Laube C, Mohan D, Iverson L, Kaonga A, Chituwo O, Kamboyi R, Kabila M, Toledo C. Factors Beyond Compensation Associated with Uptake of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision in Zambia. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:1836-1848. [PMID: 36357807 PMCID: PMC10979468 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03915-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) provides partial protection against female-to-male transmission of HIV. The Maximizing the Impact of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision in Zambia (MAXZAM) project was a phased implementation of a demand generation strategy for VMMC through economic compensation. Previously published findings showed increased uptake of VMMC when compensation was provided. This paper is a follow-up evaluation of the MAXZAM project exploring additional factors associated with uptake of VMMC. Factors found associated include the outreach setting in which men were approached, number of information sources seen, heard, or read about VMMC, their self-reported HIV risk behaviors, their self-reported intention to go through the procedure, and their behavioral-psychographic profile. The findings highlight the importance of considering general (e.g., intensifying mass communications and targeting specific settings) and person-centered demand generation approaches (e.g., considering the client's psychographic profile and HIV risk level) to maximize effect on VMMC uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine S Ong
- Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 Corporate Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA, Mailstop US1-1, USA.
| | | | - Diwakar Mohan
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Omega Chituwo
- Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | | | - Carlos Toledo
- Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 Corporate Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA, Mailstop US1-1, USA
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Perkins JM, Kakuhikire B, Baguma C, Jeon S, Walker SF, Dongre R, Kyokunda V, Juliet M, Satinsky EN, Comfort AB, Siedner M, Ashaba S, Tsai AC. Perceived norms about male circumcision and personal circumcision status: a cross-sectional, population-based study in rural Uganda. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.04.24.23288996. [PMID: 37163008 PMCID: PMC10168507 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.24.23288996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Over the past decade, 15 high-priority countries in eastern and southern Africa have promoted voluntary medical male circucmsion for HIV and STI prevention. Despite male circumcision prevalence in Uganda nearly doubling from 26% in 2011 to 43% in 2016, it remained below the target level by 2020. Little is known about perceived norms of male circumcision and their association with circumcision uptake among men. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study targeting all adult residents across eight villages in Rwampara District, southwestern Uganda in 2020-2022. We compared what men and women reported as the adult male circumcision prevalence within their village (perceived norm: >50% (most), 10% to <50% (some), <10%, (few), or do not know) to the aggregated prevalence of circumcision as reported by men aged <50 years. We used a modified multivariable Poisson regression model to estimate the association between perceived norms about male circumcision uptake and personal circumcision status among men. Results Overall, 167 (38%) men < 50 years old were circumcised (and 27% of all men were circumcised). Among all 1566 participants (91% response rate), 189 (27%) men and 177 (20%) women underestimated the male circumcision prevalence, thinking that few men in their own village had been circumcised. Additionally, 10% of men and 25% of women reported not knowing the prevalence. Men who underestimated the prevalence were less likely to be circumcised (aRR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.83) compared to those who thought that some village men were circumcised, adjusting for perceived personal risk of HIV, whether any same-household women thought most men were circumcised, and other sociodemographic factors. Conclusions Across eight villages, a quarter of the population underestimated the local prevalence of male circumcision. Men who underestimated circumcision uptake were less likely to be circumcised. Future research should evaluate norms-based approaches to promoting male circumcision uptake. Strategies may include disseminating messages about the increasing prevalence of adult male circumcision uptake in Uganda and providing personalized normative feedback to men who underestimated local rates about how uptake is greater than they thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M. Perkins
- Department of Human and Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Charles Baguma
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Sehee Jeon
- Department of Human and Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sarah F. Walker
- Department of Human and Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Rohit Dongre
- Department of Human and Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Viola Kyokunda
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Mercy Juliet
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Emily N. Satinsky
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA USA
| | - Alison B. Comfort
- Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, University of California, San Franciso, USA
| | - Mark Siedner
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA USA
| | | | - Alexander C. Tsai
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA USA
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Hensen B, Floyd S, Phiri MM, Schaap A, Sigande L, Simuyaba M, Mwenge L, Zulu-Phiri R, Mwape L, Fidler S, Hayes R, Simwinga M, Ayles H. The impact of community-based, peer-led sexual and reproductive health services on knowledge of HIV status among adolescents and young people aged 15 to 24 in Lusaka, Zambia: The Yathu Yathu cluster-randomised trial. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004203. [PMID: 37083700 PMCID: PMC10121029 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The growing population of adolescents and young people (AYP) aged 15 to 24 in sub-Saharan Africa face a high burden of HIV in many settings. Unintended pregnancies among adolescent girls in the region remain high. Nonetheless, the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service needs of AYP have remained underserved. We conducted a cluster-randomised trial (CRT) to estimate the impact of community-based, peer-led SRH service provision on knowledge of HIV status and other SRH outcomes, including met need for contraceptives. METHODS AND FINDINGS Yathu Yathu was a cluster-randomised trial (CRT) conducted from 2019 to 2021 in 2 urban communities in Lusaka, Zambia. The communities were divided into 20 zones (approximately 2,350 AYP/zone) that were randomly allocated to the Yathu Yathu intervention or control arm. In each intervention zone, a community-based hub, staffed by peer support workers, was established to provide SRH services. In 2019, a census was conducted in all zones; all consenting AYP aged 15 to 24 were given a Yathu Yathu card, which allowed them to accrue points for accessing SRH services at the hub and health facility (intervention arm) or the health facility only (control arm). Points could be exchanged for rewards, thus acting as an incentive to use SRH services in both arms. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 2021 to estimate the impact of Yathu Yathu on the primary outcome: knowledge of HIV status (self-reporting living with HIV or HIV testing in the last 12 months) and secondary outcomes, including use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the last 12 months, current use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and met need for contraceptive services. The sampling was stratified on sex and age group, and we analysed data at cluster-level using a two-stage process recommended for CRTs with <15 clusters/arm. A total of 1,989 AYP consented to participate in the survey (50% male); consent was similar across arms (63% consent/arm). Across zones, knowledge of HIV status ranged from 63.6% to 81.2% in intervention zones and 35.4% to 63.0% in control zones. Adjusting for age, sex, and community, knowledge of HIV status was higher in the intervention arm compared to control (73.3% versus 48.4%, respectively, adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) 1.53 95% CI 1.36, 1.72; p < 0.001). By age and sex, results were similar. There was no evidence for impact on any secondary outcomes, including current use of ART and met need for contraceptives. There were no adverse events reported in either arm. A key limitation of our trial is that approximately 35% of the AYP randomly selected for participation in the endline survey could not be reached. CONCLUSIONS Delivering community-based, peer-led SRH services increased knowledge of HIV status among AYP, both males and females, compared with the control arm. Scaling up the highly effective Yathu Yathu strategy has the potential to make a substantial contribution to increasing access to HIV prevention and care services for young people. However, additional implementation research is needed to understand how to improve uptake of broader SRH services, beyond uptake of HIV testing. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN75609016, clinicaltrials.gov number NCT04060420.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadette Hensen
- Department of Public Health, the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Clinical Research, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sian Floyd
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ab Schaap
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sarah Fidler
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Hayes
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Helen Ayles
- Department of Clinical Research, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
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Community Mobilization is Associated with HIV Testing Behaviors and Their Psychosocial Antecedents Among Zambian Adults: Results from a Population-Based Study. AIDS Behav 2022; 27:1682-1693. [PMID: 36307741 PMCID: PMC10140187 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03900-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Community mobilization (CM) is a vital yet under-explored avenue for increasing HIV testing in generalized HIV epidemic settings. Using multi-stage cluster sampling, a population-based sample of 3535 Zambian adults (mean age: 28 years, 50% women) were recruited from 14 districts to complete a household survey. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to re-validate a 23-item, 5-factor CM scale. Multivariable logistic and Poisson regression were then used to identify associations of CM with HIV testing behaviors and their psychosocial antecedents. A 21-item, 3-factor ("Leadership", "Collective Action Capacity", and "Social Cohesion") CM solution emerged from EFA (Cronbach's α 0.88). Among men and in rural settings, higher CM was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with elevated odds of HIV testing and more past-year HIV testing discussion sources, controlling for socio-demographics and sexual behaviors. Results underscore the importance of prioritizing CM to cultivate more favorable environments for HIV testing uptake, especially for men and rural residents.
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