BACKGROUND: One barrier for individuals desiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody testing has been the lack of alternatives to blood HIV testing. Oral fluid HIV testing provides another testing option. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the acceptability of oral fluid testing for HIV antibodies in a gay bar outreach setting. STUDY DESIGN: This pilot study was conducted using the HIV Risk Behavior Survey (HRBS) and OraSure acceptability survey in gay bars in Columbia, South Carolina during July and August, 1997. RESULTS: Of the 118 HRBS participants, 54% agreed to take the oral fluid test with 6% testing positive. A majority (91%) of participants felt comfortable with the oral HIV antibody testing in gay bars. Also, 21.8% of individuals in the OraSure study were tested for the first time. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that oral fluid testing for HIV antibodies in an outreach setting is acceptable and effective in reaching individuals who do not usually access traditional testing sites.
BACKGROUND: One barrier for individuals desiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody testing has been the lack of alternatives to blood HIV testing. Oral fluid HIV testing provides another testing option. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the acceptability of oral fluid testing for HIV antibodies in a gay bar outreach setting. STUDY DESIGN: This pilot study was conducted using the HIV Risk Behavior Survey (HRBS) and OraSure acceptability survey in gay bars in Columbia, South Carolina during July and August, 1997. RESULTS: Of the 118 HRBS participants, 54% agreed to take the oral fluid test with 6% testing positive. A majority (91%) of participants felt comfortable with the oral HIV antibody testing in gay bars. Also, 21.8% of individuals in the OraSure study were tested for the first time. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that oral fluid testing for HIV antibodies in an outreach setting is acceptable and effective in reaching individuals who do not usually access traditional testing sites.
Authors: Christopher S Krawczyk; Ellen Funkhouser; J Michael Kilby; Richard A Kaslow; Amita K Bey; Sten H Vermund Journal: South Med J Date: 2006-05 Impact factor: 0.954
Authors: Amitabh B Suthar; Nathan Ford; Pamela J Bachanas; Vincent J Wong; Jay S Rajan; Alex K Saltzman; Olawale Ajose; Ade O Fakoya; Reuben M Granich; Eyerusalem K Negussie; Rachel C Baggaley Journal: PLoS Med Date: 2013-08-13 Impact factor: 11.069