[Study protocol] Acceptability and feasibility of electronic vending machines for delivering HIV self-testing and STI self-sampling kits: a mixed methods study

Rationale To investigate whether HIV self-testing and STI self-sampling kits delivered by vending machines in Brighton and Hove and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG), UK, offer an acceptable and practical option to encourage and facilitate testing. Study Outline Vending machines that dispense HIV self-testing and STI self-sampling kits have been installed in five locations throughout Brighton and Hove and four locations in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG). We intend to use a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to understand whether this offers an acceptable and practical adjunct to current testing options. Additionally, to explore and understand motivations for use of the vending machine and identify further barriers to testing. Key Aims ● Describe demographics of the population using the vending machines to obtain the kits. ● Quantify the number of HIV self-test and STI self-sample kits dispensed by the vending machine. ● Quantify the number of STI self-sample kits that are returned to the laboratory. ● Explore acceptability, practicality and motivations of using a vending machine for HIV and STI testing