06/25/2026
How does substance use affect HIV testing behaviors among marginalized communities?
The study, a community-academic partnership between the Behavioral, Sexual, and Global Health (BSGH) Lab and Circolo Pink (Pink Refugees), explored the relationship between substance use, facility-based testing, and HIV self-testing (HIVST) willingness.
Remarkably, participants who used substances during s*x work expressed greater willingness to use HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits.
HIVST offers a private, autonomous alternative that bypasses the stigma and structural barriers of formal clinics.
Significance of the study:
Substance use doesn’t eliminate the desire to know one’s status; it changes the preferred testing environment. To close the gap, public health strategies must integrate community-led harm reduction with discreet HIVST distribution networks like trusted peer groups to meet people exactly where they are.
Read the full study here:
👉 http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JNC.0000000000000636
05/27/2026
May your Eid-al-Adha be filled with love, peace, blessings and the spirit of sacrifice.
…from the BSGH Lab Team.
05/21/2026
BSGH Lab New Research Alert! 📢
The BSGH Lab is proud to share our latest publication:
“At-home HIV self-testing vs. at-clinic HIV testing preference among trans-women in Ghana’s slums.”
While HIV self-testing (HIVST) offers a private and empowering alternative to traditional clinic visits, our qualitative study shows that a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t the answer. From privacy concerns among slum dwellers to the need for professional counseling, our research highlights the importance of dual-modality testing strategies.
Congratulations to the team:
Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba’are,
Osman Wumpini Shamrock,
George Rudolph Kofi Agbemedu, and
Henry Delali Dakpui.
Read more here: https://journals.library.torontomu.ca/index.php/ihtp/article/view/2759
05/11/2026
BSGH Lab New Research Publication…
We are proud to announce the publication of our latest study in PLOS One, focusing on the health and autonomy of African refugee male s*x workers (ARMSWs) in Italy.
Title: HIV self-testing awareness among African refugee male s*x workers in Italy: A mixed-methods study.
While HIV self-testing (HIVST) has been available in Italy, our research highlights that structural barriers still keep this life-saving tool out of reach for those who need it most.
Key Insights:
Low Awareness: Only 45% of participants were aware that HIV self-testing exists.
Untapped Potential: Among those aware of the tool, fewer than half had ever used one, despite high interest in its privacy and convenience.
The Education Factor: Higher educational attainment and prior experience with STI testing were the strongest predictors of whether someone knew about HIVST.
Pathways to Access: Community centers and peer-led networks remain the most trusted and effective sources for distributing testing kits.
Significance of the study:
To improve health equity, we must move beyond passive availability. Our findings call for peer-led outreach and culturally tailored health literacy programs to ensure that every individual has the tools to manage their health with dignity and privacy.
Congratulations to the research team: Henry Delali Dakpui, Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba’are, Mubarik Sena Saaka, Donte Boyd, Orlando Harris, and Giovanni Zardini.
Read the full open-access study here: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0343441
05/04/2026
📢 BSGH Lab New Research Publication
Our latest study in BMC Public Health explores how HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) can overcome barriers for marginalized communities.
Title: Stigma, privacy concerns, s*xual behaviors, and testing history shape willingness to use HIV self-testing among African refugee men engaged in s*x work in Italy.
Key Takeaway:
Nearly 45% of participants are ready to adopt self-testing, valuing the privacy, autonomy, and convenience it offers over traditional clinic visits.
Why It Matters:
To achieve global health goals, we must meet people where they are. This study emphasizes the need for stigma-sensitive, community-led approaches and free access to self-testing kits to ensure no one is left behind.
Congratulations to the research team:
Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba’are, Henry Delali Dakpui, Mubarik Sena Saaka, Shamrock Osman Wumpini, Emma Gyamera, Chris Guure, and LaRon Nelson.
Read the full open-access study: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-27095-9
