OBJECTIVES: We assessed rates of HIV testing based on targeting patients with identified risk factors at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, DC (VAMC-DC), where written informed consent along with pretest and posttest counseling had, until recently, been required by federal law. METHODS: A cumulative retrospective review of the period 2000 through 2007 was conducted to assess the number of patients who were provided medical care at VAMC-DC, tested for HIV, and underwent confirmatory testing. Data on demographic characteristics and risks for HIV acquisition were also collected. RESULTS: At VAMC-DC, 3.8% to 4.9% (mean=4.25%) of patients in care without known HIV infection underwent HIV screening annually. On average, HIV was confirmed at a yearly rate of 3.4% among those tested. During the study period, HIV prevalence ranged from 2.1% to 2.5%. Among patients receiving HIV care, 41.5% disclosed no risk factors for HIV acquisition. CONCLUSIONS: Given that the HIV prevalence observed in this study was above 2% and that 41.5% of patients in care did not disclose any acquisition risks, targeted HIV screening has not been sufficient. HIV testing must be broadened and offered as part of routine medical care.
OBJECTIVES: We assessed rates of HIV testing based on targeting patients with identified risk factors at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, DC (VAMC-DC), where written informed consent along with pretest and posttest counseling had, until recently, been required by federal law. METHODS: A cumulative retrospective review of the period 2000 through 2007 was conducted to assess the number of patients who were provided medical care at VAMC-DC, tested for HIV, and underwent confirmatory testing. Data on demographic characteristics and risks for HIV acquisition were also collected. RESULTS: At VAMC-DC, 3.8% to 4.9% (mean=4.25%) of patients in care without known HIV infection underwent HIV screening annually. On average, HIV was confirmed at a yearly rate of 3.4% among those tested. During the study period, HIV prevalence ranged from 2.1% to 2.5%. Among patients receiving HIV care, 41.5% disclosed no risk factors for HIV acquisition. CONCLUSIONS: Given that the HIV prevalence observed in this study was above 2% and that 41.5% of patients in care did not disclose any acquisition risks, targeted HIV screening has not been sufficient. HIV testing must be broadened and offered as part of routine medical care.
Authors: Ryan C Burke; Kent A Sepkowitz; Kyle T Bernstein; Adam M Karpati; Julie E Myers; Benjamin W Tsoi; Elizabeth M Begier Journal: AIDS Date: 2007-07-31 Impact factor: 4.177
Authors: T C Quinn; M J Wawer; N Sewankambo; D Serwadda; C Li; F Wabwire-Mangen; M O Meehan; T Lutalo; R H Gray Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2000-03-30 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: A David Paltiel; Rochelle P Walensky; Bruce R Schackman; George R Seage; Lauren M Mercincavage; Milton C Weinstein; Kenneth A Freedberg Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 2006-12-05 Impact factor: 25.391
Authors: F J Palella; K M Delaney; A C Moorman; M O Loveless; J Fuhrer; G A Satten; D J Aschman; S D Holmberg Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1998-03-26 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Gillian D Sanders; Ahmed M Bayoumi; Vandana Sundaram; S Pinar Bilir; Christopher P Neukermans; Chara E Rydzak; Lena R Douglass; Laura C Lazzeroni; Mark Holodniy; Douglas K Owens Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2005-02-10 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: A David Paltiel; Milton C Weinstein; April D Kimmel; George R Seage; Elena Losina; Hong Zhang; Kenneth A Freedberg; Rochelle P Walensky Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2005-02-10 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Douglas K Owens; Vandana Sundaram; Laura C Lazzeroni; Lena R Douglass; Patricia Tempio; Mark Holodniy; Gillian D Sanders; Vera M Shadle; Valerie C McWhorter; Teodora Agoncillo; Noreen Haren; Darlene Chavis; Leila H Borowsky; Elizabeth M Yano; Peter Jensen; Michael S Simberkoff; Samuel A Bozzette Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2007-03 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Amy Nunn; Caitlin Towey; Philip A Chan; Sharon Parker; Emily Nichols; Patrick Oleskey; Annajane Yolken; Julia Harvey; Geetanjoli Banerjee; Thomas Stopka; Stacey Trooskin Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 2016 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 2.792
Authors: Michael S Lyons; Christopher J Lindsell; Andrew H Ruffner; D Beth Wayne; Kimberly W Hart; Matthew I Sperling; Alexander T Trott; Carl J Fichtenbaum Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2013-11-01 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: Maggie Czarnogorski; James Halloran Cns; Caitlin Pedati; Erin K Dursa; Janet Durfee; Richard Martinello; Victoria Davey; David Ross Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2013-10-17 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: J J Ong; K Coulthard; C Quinn; M J Tang; T Huynh; M S Jamil; R Baggaley; C Johnson Journal: Curr HIV/AIDS Rep Date: 2022-02-11 Impact factor: 5.071