Acceptability and access of community testing sites for African Communities in Leeds Jeni Hirst Director of Service Development BHA for Equality

Background and Objective National HIV Testing Week (NHTW) provides extended opportunities to increase exposure to HIV prevention messages and increase access to testing. Using evidence from NHTW 2012/13 we considered locations for delivery of community based HIV testing. We identified 3 new venues to pilot delivery of testing while maintaining 3 existing venues across Leeds. Our primary objective was to compare acceptability and access of the 6 venues. 2

Method The three new venues were identified were located in areas accessible to African communities. These included: Leeds Kirkgate Market based in the city centre - one of the largest indoor markets in Europe, with a large number of African food, hair and beauty stalls; A pharmacy based in south of the city in a deprived area with a large African population; A health centre based in the east of the city in a deprived area with a large African population; testing was available to all local residents whether they were registered with the centre or not. 3

Engagement 4 Prior to National HIV Testing Week, staff met with relevant stakeholders to determine the feasibility of using identified venues. Stakeholder engagement was undertook to assess the acceptability of POC testing in the new venues and seek support in promoting the service with: Community Groups African stalls, shops and businesses Local residents/customers/patients Other organisations and providers Testing was promoted via community outreach, Facebook, Twitter, websites

Results 5 VenuePercentage of tests delivered BHA Leeds office22% Asylum seeker/refugee drop-in13% During a football tournament7% Health Centre GP Practice7% Pharmacy7% Leeds Kirkgate Market44% In National HIV Testing Week BHA undertook 85 additional point of care HIV tests across 6 venues:

Further analysis … Further analysis was sought of the tests delivered at Leeds Market given the percentage of tests delivered: 60% were African, 10% Caribbean; 5% MSM 23 women and 14 men. 95% identified as heterosexual 60% had never attended a sexual health clinic previously 56% had never had an HIV test before Of those who had tested before, only 10% had tested within the last 2 years. Only 16% of those tested knew about PEP 6

Conclusion Of the 85 tests undertaken during National HIV Testing Week, 44% of those took place at Leeds Kirkgate Market which demonstrates the acceptability and effectiveness of this location for provision of HIV testing. In addition, word of mouth via community outreach demonstrated the most effective method of promoting the service. Essential to this success, was the community engagement and promotion of the service by African stall owners. 7