BACKGROUND: Early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) defection is essential for initiating treatment and partner-notification activities. Sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attendees are at high risk for infection and should be made aware of their HIV status. GOAL: To determine the characteristics associated with not receiving an HIV test result in an STD clinic setting. STUDY DESIGN: Confidential HIV testing was offered to 6,705 persons attending four public STD clinics in Los Angeles who submitted blood for syphilis serology and were tested for HIV antibody in an unlinked HIV serosurvey. Human immunodeficiency virus test results and return status were anonymously linked to other risk information. RESULTS: Only one-third of attendees were tested and given their results. Those testing HIV positive in the anonymous survey and those requesting HIV testing were most likely to receive a test result (i.e., 41% and 49%, respectively). Those solely requesting an STD examination, repeat testers, and African-Americans were least likely to receive a result (i.e., 32%, 30%, and 26%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Most STD clinic patients fail to receive an HIV test result. Other strategies, such as rapid HIV testing, are needed to increase participation and receipt of HIV test results in this high-risk population.
BACKGROUND: Early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) defection is essential for initiating treatment and partner-notification activities. Sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attendees are at high risk for infection and should be made aware of their HIV status. GOAL: To determine the characteristics associated with not receiving an HIV test result in an STD clinic setting. STUDY DESIGN: Confidential HIV testing was offered to 6,705 persons attending four public STD clinics in Los Angeles who submitted blood for syphilis serology and were tested for HIV antibody in an unlinked HIV serosurvey. Human immunodeficiency virus test results and return status were anonymously linked to other risk information. RESULTS: Only one-third of attendees were tested and given their results. Those testing HIV positive in the anonymous survey and those requesting HIV testing were most likely to receive a test result (i.e., 41% and 49%, respectively). Those solely requesting an STD examination, repeat testers, and African-Americans were least likely to receive a result (i.e., 32%, 30%, and 26%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Most STD clinic patients fail to receive an HIV test result. Other strategies, such as rapid HIV testing, are needed to increase participation and receipt of HIV test results in this high-risk population.
Authors: Ginamarie Foglia; G Donald Royster; K Monique Wasunna; Rukia Kibaya; Jennifer A Malia; Eva K Calero; Warren Sateren; Philip O Renzullo; Merlin L Robb; Deborah L Birx; Nelson L Michael Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2004-08 Impact factor: 5.948
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: Robert J O'Connell; Teresa M Merritt; Jennifer A Malia; Thomas C VanCott; Matthew J Dolan; Hassan Zahwa; William P Bradley; Bernard M Branson; Nelson L Michael; Caroline C De Witt Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2003-05 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: Elin B Begley; Alexandra M Oster; Binwei Song; Linda Lesondak; Kelly Voorhees; Magdalena Esquivel; Ronald L Merrick; Jack Carrel; Douglas Sebesta; James Vergeront; Dhana Shrestha; James D Heffelfinger Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 2008 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 2.792