Establishment, Implementation, Initial Outcomes, and Lessons Learned from Recent HIV Infection Surveillance Using a Rapid Test for Recent Infection Among Persons Newly Diagnosed With HIV in Thailand: Implementation Study.

Background: A recent infection testing algorithm (RITA) incorporating case surveillance (CS) with the rapid test for recent HIV infection (RTRI) was integrated into HIV testing services in Thailand as a small-scale pilot project in October 2020.

Objective: We aimed to describe the lessons learned and initial outcomes obtained after the establishment of the nationwide recent HIV infection surveillance project from April through August 2022.

Methods: We conducted desk reviews, developed a surveillance protocol and manual, selected sites, trained staff, implemented surveillance, and analyzed outcomes.

Web-Based Respondent-Driven Sampling to Assess Biobehavioral Factors Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Thailand: Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is the current standard for sampling key populations at risk for HIV infections but is usually limited to local implementation in single towns or cities. Web-based sampling eliminates this spatial constraint but often relies on self-selected convenience samples. We piloted a web-based RDS survey with biomarker collection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Thailand.

A Web-Based, Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (Kai Noi): Description of Methods and Characteristics.

Background: Thailand's HIV epidemic is heavily concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM), and surveillance efforts are mostly based on case surveillance and local biobehavioral surveys.

Objective: We piloted Kai Noi, a web-based respondent-driven sampling (RDS) survey among MSM.

Methods: We developed an application coded in PHP that facilitated all procedures and events typically used in an RDS office for use on the web, including e-coupon validation, eligibility screening, consent, interview, peer recruitment, e-coupon issuance, and compensation.

Diverse HIV epidemics among people who inject drugs in Thailand: evidence from respondent-driven sampling surveys in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Background: Thailand's long-standing HIV sero-sentinel surveillance system for people who inject drugs (PWID) is confined to those in methadone-based drug treatment clinics and representative data are scarce, especially outside of Bangkok.

Methods: We conducted probability-based respondent-driven sampling (RDS) surveys in Bangkok (n=738) and Chiang Mai (n=309) to increase understanding of local HIV epidemics and to better inform the planning of evidence-based interventions.

Results: PWID had different epidemiological profiles in these two cities.