Grindr successfully convinced gay men to test for HIV

Grindr, the popular gay social networking app, recently ended a study in which a subsection of users were targeted to receive and utilize HIV self-testing kits for a quick diagnosis. Of the 56 men who were tested and answered survey questions, two learned via the kit of their infections.

The study targeted gay black and Hispanic men in Los Angeles, utilizing banner ads that offered access to HIV testing kits by mail or via pharmacy or vending machine in the parking lot of the L.A. LGBT Center. These groups were chosen as they are the most likely to become infected for HIV and least likely to seek out or receive testing for it, according to the study.

The research produced a whopping 69% of men who responded to survey questions who hadn't been tested for the infection within the last six months.

Given that Grindr is utilized by over five million men across 192 countries, this could be a very effective way going forward to combat the spread of HIV infection in the gay community.