Table 2.
Model | Description of organization | Advantages for delivering HIV/Syphilis testing | Disadvantages for delivering HIV/Syphilis testing |
---|---|---|---|
Independent CBO | CBO provides anonymous MSM testing, and has minimal formal relationship with clinic partners. | Good reputation among MSM , perceived safe environment , strong community | MSM may not trust medical services or tests compared to an independent clinic. |
MSM may see CBO as social meeting place, rather than testing center. | |||
Independent clinic | Standard HIV/syphilis testing in a clinical setting (i.e. hospital/CDC center). Clinic may offer some social outreach activities and preventive services. | Trusted and standardized medical services, some MSM may feel services are anonymous because STD testing patients are mixed in with the general population | Poor communication and counseling, perceived discrimination, lack of confidentiality and privacy. |
CBO-clinic hybrid | Shared decision-making, finances, staffing, space, and information between CBO and clinic. | Confidentiality and anonymity, high quality counseling and psychosocial support, perceived safe environment, medical services are trusted because standardized by government, trusted staff | Some communication issues between clinic providers and MSM. |
CBO: community-based organization; MSM: men who have sex with men.