The prevalence and correlates of receiving confirmatory HIV test results among newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals at a community-based testing center

AIDS Educ Prev. 2012 Oct;24(5):445-55. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2012.24.5.445.

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence and correlates of completing the HIV testing process-specifically receiving a confirmatory HIV test and returning for the results-in a sample of newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals at an HIV testing center in New York City. Of the 213 individuals who received a reactive rapid HIV test result, 82% received a confirmatory HIV test. Of the 236 individuals who received a positive result on a rapid or traditional HIV test that was validated by a positive confirmatory HIV test, 65% returned for the confirmatory test results. Multivariate analyses revealed that being a non-U.S. citizen, homeless/living in transitional housing, being uninsured, and testing off-site were significantly associated with completing the HIV testing process. The findings indicate the need to explore strategies that address obstacles to receiving confirmatory HIV testing and returning for the results, in addition to the feasibility of a rapid confirmatory HIV test.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blotting, Western
  • Community Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • New York City / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Social Support
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Young Adult