Background A variety of strategies have been used to reach men with HIV self-testing services, including social network-based HIV self-test kits distribution. However, few studies have assessed men’s comfort to distribute to or receive HIV self-test kits from close male friends within the same social network. In this study, we assessed men’s comfort to distribute to and/or receive HIV self-test kits from close male friends and associated factors among men who socialize in networks locally referred to as “camps” in Tanzania. Methods Data are from the baseline survey of a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in June 2019 with 18 social networks or “camps” in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Participants were 18-year-old or older male camp members who were HIV-negative at the time of enrolment. We used the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) to assess factors associated with being comfortable to distribute to and/or receive HIV self-test kits from close male members within one’s social network. Results Of 505 participants, 67.9% (n = 342) reported being comfortable to distribute to while 68.2% (n = 344) were comfortable to receive HIV self-test kits from their close male friends. Ever having heard about HIV self-testing (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio (Adj. PR): 1.6; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.3, 1.9), willingness to self-test for HIV in front of a sexual partner (Adj. PR: 3.0; 95%CI: 1.5, 6.1) and exposure to peer-led HIV self-testing education and promotion (Adj. PR: 1.4; 95%CI: 1.2, 1.7) were significantly associated with being comfortable to distribute HIV self-test kits to close male members within one’s social network. Similar results were observed for being comfortable to receive HIV self-test kits from a close male friend within one’s social network. Conclusions Overall, these findings suggest that distribution of HIV self-test kits through close male friends could improve the proportion of men reached with HIV self-testing services and improve HIV testing rates in this population where uptake remains low. However, additional promotional strategies such as peer-led HIV self-testing education are needed to raise awareness and increase the proportion of men who are comfortable to receive and/or distribute HIV self-testing kits.

Background Few studies have explored alternative strategies for reaching men with HIV self-testing services. In this study, we assessed the factors associated with men’s comfort to distribute or receive HIV self-test kits from close male friends among men who socialize in networks locally referred to as "camps" in Tanzania. Methods Data are from a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in June 2019 in 18 social networks or “camps” in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Participants were 18-year-old or older male camp members who were HIV-negative at the time of enrolment. Robust Poisson regression was implemented through the generalized random effect model with the log link to assess the factors associated with being comfortable to receive and/or give out HIV self-test kits to close male members within one’s social network. Results Of 505 participants, 67.9% (n = 342) reported that they would be comfortable giving HIV self-test kits to close male friends while 68.2% (n = 344) were comfortable receiving HIV self-test kits from their close male friends. Ever having heard about HIV self-testing (Adjusted Prevalence Rate (Adj. PR): 1.6; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.3, 1.9), willingness to self-test for HIV in front of a sexual partner (Adj. PR: 3.0; 95%CI: 1.5, 6.1) and exposure to peer-led HIV self-testing education and promotion (Adj. PR: 1.4; 95%CI: 1.2, 1.7) were significantly associated with being comfortable to receive and/or give out HIV self-test kits to close male members within one’s social network. Conclusions Prior awareness of HIV self-testing, willingness to self-test before one’s sexual partner and exposure to peer-led HIV self-testing education and promotion were significantly associated with being comfortable to give or receive HIV self-test kits from close male friends in this population. These findings suggest that distribution of HIV self-test kits through close male friends could improve the proportion of men reached with HIV self-testing services and improve HIV testing rates in this population where uptake remains low.

Men in sub-Saharan Africa continue to experience health disparities that are exacerbated by low employment. This study qualitatively assessed men’s perceptions of the economic and health-care-seeking effects of participation in an integrated microfinance and peer health leadership intervention on violence and HIV risk reduction in Tanzania. Three focus group discussions with 27 men, aged 20 to 44 years, examined the perceived effects on income generation, employability, mental health, and uptake of HIV and related health services. All discussions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using deductive and inductive coding methods. Men reported that the benefits of the intervention included increased employability and income-earning activities due to greater access to entrepreneurial training, low-interest microfinancing, and male-oriented group supports to start or strengthen their businesses. Increased wages through business or other forms of employment were also attributed to men’s lower anxiety and distress as financial providers for their families. However, men indicated that apart from the uptake of free HIV testing services, there was limited change in overall health-care-seeking behavior given the high clinic fees and lost time to earn income when attending routine health visits. Men recommended that future microfinance and health promotion interventions provide larger loan amounts, less frequent repayment intervals, and access to health and social insurance. Microfinance and peer health leadership interventions may help to address economic and health disparities in poor, urban men. Efforts are needed to assist lower income men in accessing financial tools as well as fee-based preventive and health-care services.

Community Advisory Boards (CABs) often form the structure for involving community members in a partnership, and can play an important role as collaborators, gatekeepers to the community and a bridge between communities and research institutions. In recognition of this, the Bagamoyo Community Advisory Board was established in 2007, aiming to properly educate and empower elected CAB members to become full partners in all research activities concerning the public within the Bagamoyo area. Understanding the challenges faced by the CAB in implementing their activities, the success made, and the lessons learned could help guide future public health research and projects. This article presents viewpoints from the Bagamoyo Community Advisory Board members on the challenges, successes and lessons learned. It provides ideas, suggestions and critical reflections on how to improve community engagement in public research and projects.