{
  "abstract": "HIV self-testing (HIVST) has recently been introduced through a digital platform for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Pakistan, where they can order and receive OraQuick HIVST via mail. The current study aimed to evaluate the digital dispensation of HIVST to the MSM community in Pakistan. Semi-structured interviews with MSM who availed HIVST services were conducted through in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). Participants were recruited from HIV community-based organizations (CBOs) in Karachi and Lahore. The interviews were coded, and thematic analysis was performed using NVIVO 14.0. Twelve MSM were interviewed in the IDIs, and two FGDs were conducted with a total of 12 MSM. Key emergent themes highlighted that digital dispensation reduces HIV testing barriers and allows peer diffusion of testing services. MSMs can order HIVST digitally to dispense at the place of their choice. This allows them to bypass perceived stigma faced during in-person testing, including in the CBOs. However, MSM still fear stigma at home where HIVST might potentially be delivered. Participants noted difficulty in navigating the digital platform and a lack of comprehensive services including, condoms, lubricants, and counselling. The participants emphasized the importance of demand generation through social media and dating applications. Provision of a comprehensive service delivery package, digital demand generation through social media, and dating applications is recommended for strengthening digital HIVST services.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Research Consultant, Dostana, Lahore, Pakistan",
    "PhD Scholar, Health Services Academy, Lahore, Pakistan",
    "Professor of Public Health, Health Services Academy, Lahore, Pakistan",
    "Program Officer, HIV, United Nations Development Program, Lahore, Pakistan",
    "Project Director, Dostana, Lahore, Pakistan",
    "Project Director, Humraz, Karachi, Pakistan"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Usman Ali"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Muhammad Safdar Kamal Pasha"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Ramesh Kumar"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Rab Nawaz Samo"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Raza Haider Tirmizi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Siddique Wali"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/933mxkkmx1s75.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pgph.0005994",
  "fulltext_url": "https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0005994",
  "id": "933mxkkmx1s75",
  "issns": [
    "2767-3375"
  ],
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  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
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  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2725|HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Microbiology/Medical microbiology/Microbial pathogens/Viral pathogens/Immunodeficiency viruses/HIV"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Microbiology/Medical microbiology/Microbial pathogens/Viral pathogens/Retroviruses/Lentivirus/HIV"
    ],
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      "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Cognitive science/Cognitive psychology/Language"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/Immunodeficiency viruses/HIV"
    ],
    [
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      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/RNA viruses/Retroviruses/Lentivirus/HIV"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/Viral pathogens/Immunodeficiency viruses/HIV"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/Viral pathogens/Retroviruses/Lentivirus/HIV"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Cognitive psychology/Language"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Computer and information sciences/Network analysis/Social networks/Social media"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Diagnostic medicine/Virus testing"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Pathology and laboratory medicine/Pathogens/Microbial pathogens/Viral pathogens/Immunodeficiency viruses/HIV"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Pathology and laboratory medicine/Pathogens/Microbial pathogens/Viral pathogens/Retroviruses/Lentivirus/HIV"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Preventive medicine/HIV prevention"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/People and places/Geographical locations/Asia/Pakistan"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/People and places/Population groupings/Professions"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/People and places/Population groupings/Sexuality groupings/Men who have sex with men"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Cognitive psychology/Language"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Sociology/Communications/Social communication/Social media"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Sociology/Social networks/Social media"
    ]
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  "openalex": "W7212220928",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0005994&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-11",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/933mxkkmx1s75.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pgph.0005994",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0005994"
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:microbiology",
      "subfield": "microbiology"
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    {
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      "origin": "plos:neuroscience",
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    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:public and occupational health",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
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  ],
  "title": "Evaluating the digital dispensation of HIV self-testing (HIVST) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Pakistan: Seeing through the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) lens",
  "title_text": "Evaluating the digital dispensation of HIV self-testing (HIVST) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Pakistan: Seeing through the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) lens",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/933mxkkmx1s75",
  "venue": "PLOS Global Public Health",
  "versions": []
}