Increasing the uptake of HIV testing to reduce undiagnosed infection and prevent transmission among men who have sex with men

This is one of two pieces of NICE guidance published in March 2011 on how to increase the uptake of HIV testing. A second publication covers HIV testing among the black African community.

This guidance is for NHS and other commissioners, managers and practitioners who have a direct or indirect role in, and responsibility for, increasing the uptake of HIV testing among men who have sex with men. This includes those working in local authorities and the wider public, private, voluntary and community sectors. It will also be of interest to members of the public, in particular men who have sex with men.

The focus of the guidance is on increasing the uptake of HIV testing to reduce undiagnosed infection and prevent transmission.

The recommendations include advice on:

• planning services, including assessing local need and developing a strategy
• promoting HIV testing among men who have sex with men, including outreach schemes and providing rapid point-of-care tests
• offering and recommending an HIV test in primary care, secondary care and specialist sexual health services
• repeat testing
• HIV referral pathways.

• Other information

  • PH34 Increasing the uptake of HIV testing among men who have sex with men: guidance (web format)

  NICE Pathways

  This guidance has been incorporated into the following NICE Pathways, along with other related guidance and products.

  Visit the NICE Pathway: HIV testing and prevention

  How this guidance was produced

  Background information

  • PH34 Increasing the uptake of HIV testing among men who have sex with men: fieldwork report
  • PH34 Increasing the uptake of HIV testing among men who have sex with men: review of effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and barriers
  • PH34 Increasing the uptake of HIV testing among men who have sex with men: press release

Guidance formats

• Web format
• Quick reference guide (PDF)
• Full Guidance (PDF)