Prevalence and correlates of HIV testing among college students: an exploratory study

Objectives: Whether college students who are most at-risk of HIV infection are being tested is unknown. This exploratory study identified the prevalence and correlates of ever having an HIV test among college students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a probability sample of 903 college students. Measures of sexual risk behaviour were assessed. Results: Of the students surveyed, 22.5% reported they had been tested for HIV. Testing was more likely among those 20 years of age or older (27.8% v. 14.7%; P = 0.0001), females (25.4% v. 17.8%; P = 0.01), and members of racial/ethnic minorities (42.7% v. 20.3%; P = 0.0001). After adjusting for these covariates, those who reported ever having vaginal sex (AOR = 5.5; 95% CI = 3.1–9.6); anal sex (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.6–3.6), and oral sex (AOR = 6.3; 95% CI = 3.0–13.3) were significantly more likely to report being tested. Students having vaginal sex in the past 12 months were significantly more likely to report testing (AOR = 5.3; 95% CI = 3.1–9.1). Those reporting vaginal sexual debut (AOR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.2–3.1) or oral sexual debut (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.1–2.5) ≤age 15 were significantly more likely to be tested. Students reporting four or more sex partners were significantly more likely to be tested than sexually experienced students reporting fewer partners (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI = 2.2–4.6). Finally, those reporting at least one episode of forced vaginal sex (AOR = 3.9; 95% CI = 2.1–7.2) and reporting at least one episode of any forced sex (vaginal, anal, oral) (AOR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.8–5.0) were significantly more likely to report being tested. Conclusions: Within this population, demographically controlled findings suggest that those most at-risk of HIV infection are indeed being tested for the virus.

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A new surveillance system for monitoring HIV infection in Victoria, Australia

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh07011 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 195 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Rebecca Guy ◽

Megan S. C. Lim ◽

Yung-Hsuan J. Wang ◽

Nicholas Medland ◽

Jonathan Anderson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Surveillance System ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Anal Intercourse ◽

Unprotected Anal Intercourse ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽

Hiv Diagnosis ◽

Hiv Test

Objectives: To establish a new mechanism for monitoring patterns of HIV infection, in the context of a sustained increase in HIV diagnosis among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Victoria. Methods: Between April 2004 and August 2005, a linked voluntary HIV sentinel surveillance system was implemented at five medical clinics with a high case load of MSM. Using a questionnaire, doctors collected HIV testing history, demographic and sexual risk behaviour information from all clients undergoing voluntary HIV testing. Questionnaires were linked with HIV test results. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine factors associated with HIV infection. Results: Of 3435 MSM tested for HIV at participating sites, 1.7%, (95% CI = 1.2–2.2) were newly diagnosed with HIV; between 2004 and 2005 the proportion increased from 1.3% (95% CI = 1.2–1.5) to 2.0% (95% CI = 1.8–2.2), P = 0.107. There was no significant change in the number of HIV tests conducted per month or in demographic characteristics, testing history and sexual behaviour characteristics between time periods. In multivariate analysis, reporting unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with any partner, UAI with a HIV-positive partner/s and being aged 30–39 years or 40 years or greater were significantly associated with HIV infection. Conclusion: This new surveillance mechanism, based on linked testing at participating clinics, indicates that the increase in HIV notifications in 2005 was unrelated to changes in testing and data from a Melbourne sexual behavioural survey suggests the increase was more likely to be attributed to increases in transmission within the past few years. The sentinel system highlighted UAI, especially with HIV positive partner/s are important transmission factors.

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HIV infection and sexual partnerships and behaviour among adolescent girls in Nairobi, Kenya

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1258/ijsa.2012.011361 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 23 (7) ◽

pp. 468-474 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

A F Rositch ◽

P Cherutich ◽

P Brentlinger ◽

J N Kiarie ◽

R Nduati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Sexual Debut ◽

Sexual Relationships ◽

Sexual History ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexual Partnerships

Early sexual partnerships place young women in sub-Saharan Africa at high risk for HIV. Few studies have examined both individual- and partnership-level characteristics of sexual relationships among adolescent girls. A cross-sectional survey of sexual history and partnerships was conducted among 761 adolescent girls aged 15–19 years in Nairobi, Kenya. Rapid HIV testing was conducted and correlates of HIV infection were determined using multivariate logistic regression. The HIV prevalence was 7% and seropositive adolescents had a younger age at sexual debut ( P < 0.01), more sexual partners in 12 months ( P = 0.03), and were more likely to report transactional or non-consensual sex( P < 0.01). Girls who reported not knowing their partner's HIV status were 14 times as likely to be HIV-seropositive than girls who knew their partner's status (adjusted odds ratio: 14.2 [1.8, 109.3]). Public health messages to promote HIV testing and disclosure within partnerships could reduce sexual risk behaviours and HIV transmission among adolescents.

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Predictors Of Provider-Initiated Hiv Testing In Heterosexuals At Increased Risk Of Hiv (Het) In Puerto Rico: Data From Nhbs-Het Cycle 2016

10.21203/rs.2.21297/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Maureen Marie Canario de la Torre ◽

Ivony Yireth Agudelo Salas ◽

Sandra Miranda de León ◽

Yadira Rolón Colón ◽

María Pabón Martínez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behavior ◽

Puerto Rico ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

World Health ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Hiv Test ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have established guidelines for HIV testing in healthcare settings. The aim of this study was to identify the sociodemographic, healthcare, and sexual-behavior predictors of provider-initiated HIV testing (PIHT) using data from the Puerto Rico National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (PR-NHBS) 2016 cycle directed towards heterosexuals at increased risk of HIV infection (HET). A total sample of 531 eligible participants were recruited through respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Logistic regression models assessed the associations between sociodemographic, healthcare, and sexual-behavior predictors, whilst adjusting for sex and age. The majority of the participants were women (66.1%), with 72.7% reporting having received healthcare services in the past year. Of them, 18.7% had received an HIV-test offer from their healthcare providers. More than half of the participants (65.2%) reported a low perceived risk of getting infected with HIV in the next 12 months. Results suggest an overall low prevalence of PIHT among HET in PR who exhibited a relatively high prevalence of low perceived risk of HIV infection. Furthermore, the assessed predictors show that individuals who engaged in high-risk sexual behaviors (AOR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.30–0.90) were less likely to receive HIV-test offers from their providers. This study further emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to follow recommended guidelines for HIV testing in healthcare settings as a means of establishing preventive measures to further counteract the HIV epidemic in Puerto Rico, specifically among HET.

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Post-test comparison of HIV test knowledge and changes in sexual risk behaviour between clients accessing HIV testing online versus in-clinic

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2018-053652 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 95 (2) ◽

pp. 102-107 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Travis Salway ◽

Kimberly Thomson ◽

Darlene Taylor ◽

Devon Haag ◽

Elizabeth Elliot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Health ◽

Condom Use ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Sexual Risk ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Health Clinic ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽

Missed Opportunities ◽

Hiv Test ◽

Post Test

ObjectiveInternet-based HIV testing offers the potential to address privacy-related barriers to testing and increase frequency of testing but may result in missed opportunities related to sexual health education and prevention that typically occur in face-to-face encounters. In this study, we assessed the HIV test knowledge and sexual risk behaviour of clients testing for HIV through GetCheckedOnline, an internet-based sexually transmitted and bloodborne infection testing platform inclusive of HIV testing, in comparison to clients testing through a large sexual health clinic.MethodsWe concurrently recruited GetCheckedOnline clients and clinic clients from Vancouver, Canada, over the course of a 10-month period during 2015–2016. Participants completed baseline and 3-month questionnaires, anonymous and online. A six-item score was used to estimate knowledge of HIV test concepts typically conveyed during an HIV pretest encounter in a clinic. We used multiple regression to estimate associations between testing modality (online vs clinic based) and two outcomes—HIV test knowledge and change in condom use pre/post-test—with adjustment for relevant background factors.ResultsAmong 352 participants, online testers demonstrated higher HIV post-test knowledge than clinic-based testers (mean score 4.65/6 vs 4.09/6; p<0.05); this difference was reduced in adjusted analysis (p>0.05). Men who have sex with men, clients with a university degree, those who have lived in Canada >10 years and English speakers had higher HIV post-test knowledge (p<0.05). Eighteen per cent of online testers and 10% of clinic-based testers increased condom use during the 3 months post-test (p>0.05).ConclusionsIn this comparative study between online and clinic-based testers, we found no evidence of decreased HIV test knowledge or decreased condom use following HIV testing through GetCheckedOnline. Our findings suggest that with careful design and attention to educational content, online testing services may not lead to missed opportunities for HIV education and counselling.

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Gonorrhoea as an Indicator of Altered Sexual Behaviour and as a Surrogate Marker of HIV Concern: A 13-Year Analysis in Newcastle

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/095646249500600508 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 348-350 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A G Wardropper ◽

R S Pattman

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Sexual Behaviour ◽

Surrogate Marker ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Media Campaigns ◽

Recent Increase ◽

Hiv Test ◽

Pharyngeal Infection ◽

And Bisexual

Summary: It has been proposed that changes in sexual behaviour arising out of concerns regarding HIV infection can be inferred by changes in the incidence of gonorrhoea. We have reviewed data on gonococcal isolates in Newcastle over the last 13 years and looked at changes in relation to HIV test requests, new cases of HIV infection and media campaigns. HIV testing has been available in the clinic since late 1985. There was a steady decline in cases of gonorrhoea from 1985–1991 and then as in other areas an increase in incidence was seen among homosexual and bisexual men. The majority of this recent increase was due to pharyngeal infection. Sexual behaviour may have changed but this cannot be purely attributed to HIV concerns. HIV testing began after the incidence of gonorrhoea in England was already falling and we found no relationship between trends in gonorrhoea, HIV test requests and new cases of HIV infection.

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What happened to home HIV test collection kits? Intent to use kits, actual use, and barriers to use among persons at risk for HIV infection

AIDS Care ◽

10.1080/0954012021000005533a ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 675-682 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

G. N. Colfax ◽

J. S. Lehman ◽

A. B. Bindman ◽

E. Vittinghoff ◽

K. Vranizan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Test Collection ◽

Hiv Test ◽

Actual Use ◽

Intent To Use ◽

Barriers To Use

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Prospective Evaluation of HIV Testing Technologies in a Clinical Setting: Protocol for Project DETECT (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.16332 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Joanne D Stekler ◽

Lauren R Violette ◽

Hollie A Clark ◽

Sarah J McDougal ◽

Lisa A Niemann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Prospective Study ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Transmitted Disease ◽

The United States ◽

Test Results ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hiv Test ◽

Hiv Acquisition ◽

Hiv 1

BACKGROUND HIV testing guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are continually changing to reflect advancements in new testing technology. Evaluation of existing and new point-of-care (POC) HIV tests is crucial to inform testing guidelines and provide information to clinicians and other HIV test providers. Characterizing the performance of POC HIV tests using unprocessed specimens can provide estimates for the window period of detection, or the time from HIV acquisition to test positivity, which allows clinicians and other HIV providers to select the appropriate POC HIV tests for persons who may be recently infected with HIV. OBJECTIVE This paper describes the protocols and procedures used to evaluate the performance of the newest POC tests and determine their sensitivity during early HIV infection. METHODS Project DETECT is a CDC-funded study that is evaluating POC HIV test performance. Part 1 is a cross-sectional, retrospective study comparing behavioral characteristics and HIV prevalence of the overall population of the Public Health–Seattle & King County (PHSKC) Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinic to Project DETECT participants enrolled in part 2. Part 2 is a cross-sectional, prospective study evaluating POC HIV tests in real time using unprocessed whole blood and oral fluid specimens. A POC nucleic acid test (NAT) was added to the panel of HIV tests in June 2018. Part 3 is a longitudinal, prospective study evaluating seroconversion sensitivity of POC HIV tests through serial follow-up testing. For comparison, HIV-1 RNA and HIV-1/HIV-2 antigen/antibody tests are also performed for participants enrolled in part 2 or 3. A behavioral survey that collects information about demographics, history of HIV testing, STD history, symptoms of acute HIV infection, substance use, sexual behaviors in the aggregate and with recent partners, and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy is completed at each part 2 or 3 visit. RESULTS Between September 2015 and March 2019, there were 14,990 Project DETECT–eligible visits (part 1) to the PHSKC STD Clinic resulting in 1819 part 2 Project DETECT study visits. The longitudinal study within Project DETECT (part 3) enrolled 27 participants with discordant POC test results from their part 2 visit, and 10 (37%) were followed until they had fully seroconverted with concordant positive POC test results. Behavioral survey data and HIV test results, sensitivity, and specificity will be presented elsewhere. CONCLUSIONS Studies such as Project DETECT are critical for evaluating POC HIV test devices as well as describing characteristics of persons at risk for HIV acquisition in the United States. HIV tests in development, including POC NATs, will provide new opportunities for HIV testing programs. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR1-10.2196/16332

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The reasons for providing HIV testing in patients with newly-diagnosed HIV infection in Lodz region, Poland in the years 2009-2017

Postępy Higieny i Medycyny Doświadczalnej ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0013.2519 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 73 ◽

pp. 294-302

Author(s):

Kamila Wójcik-Cichy ◽

Anna Piekarska ◽

Elżbieta Jabłonowska

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽

Sexual Contact ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Late Presenters ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Asymptomatic Patients ◽

Hiv Test ◽

The Moment

Early diagnosis increases life expectancy in HIV-infected patients. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the reasons for HIV testing in newly-diagnosed patients with HIV registered in Lodz, Poland in years 2009-2017. The study examines also whether HIV testing was performed following the recommendation of physicians or at the request of patients. Results: The study group consisted of 401 (83.72%) males and 78 (16.28%) females. The median age at the moment of diagnosis was 33 years (LQ 27-UQ 40). In total, 285 (62.91%) patients were late presenters. Clinical indications constituted the main reason for undergoing HIV testing and were reported in 228 out of 479 patients (47.59%) including AIDS-defining diseases were a reason for HIV testing in 105 patients. Thirty-four patients underwent HIV testing following diagnosis of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs); in 91.18% of these cases the STDs was syphilis. However, high-risk sexual contact was the main reason for HIV testing in asymptomatic patients (160 of 257 cases; 62.27%). Patients in the non-AIDS group were significantly more likely to take the initiative to order an HIV test than patients in the AIDS group (p<0.0001). Conclusions: In conclusion, in the Lodz region, patients with HIV infection are most commonly diagnosed at an advanced stage of infection. This may be associated with the low number of HIV tests performed following the doctors recommendation.

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Factors influencing HIV testing uptake among priority populations in a resettlement colony of a North Indian city

Indian Journal of Community Health ◽

10.47203/ijch.2020.v32i01.008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 31-38

Author(s):

Ishita Choudhary ◽

Venkatesan Chakrapani ◽

Manmeet Kaur ◽

Sandeep Mittal ◽

Rajesh Kumar

Keyword(s):

Hiv Testing ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

North India ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Hiv Test ◽

Populations At Risk ◽

Priority Populations

Background: The recent adoption of HIV ‘test and treat’ strategy by India’s National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) necessitates an urgent need to improve HIV testing among priority populations at risk for HIV. Aim & Objectives: To identify barriers to and facilitators of HIV testing among priority populations such as pregnant women, tuberculosis patients, sexual partners of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and key populations; and to examine the role of new HIV testing modalities (e.g., non-invasive HIV testing) in improving HIV testing. Settings and Design: A cross sectional survey was conducted among priority populations in a resettlement colony of Chandigarh, North India. Materials and methods: A total of 160 participants were recruited using non-probability-based sampling. Statistical analysis used: Chi-square test was used to assess differences between priority populations who had been tested or not tested for HIV. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify significant predictors of HIV testing status. Results: Participants with higher HIV knowledge (Adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] =1.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.5) and family support (aOR=8.2, 95% CI 1.9 to 35.3) had higher odds of getting tested for HIV. Major barriers identified were fear of anticipated discrimination and previous bad experiences in government HIV testing centres, and key facilitators were empathetic attitude of the staff and government initiatives (e.g., free-of-cost tests, reimbursements of travel costs). For periodic testing, priority populations preferred non-invasive (non-blood-based) HIV tests. Conclusions: Interventions to promote HIV testing among priority populations need to reduce HIV-related stigma, and offer non-invasive HIV testing in public hospitals.

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Preoperative HIV Antibody Testing: The Views of Surgeons and Patients

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/095646249500600610 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 6 (6) ◽

pp. 426-430 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jean Meadows ◽

Gillian Irving ◽

Kate Chapman ◽

Brian Gazzard ◽

Jose Catalan

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

High Risk ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Routine Practice ◽

Antibody Testing ◽

Hiv Test ◽

Patient Consent ◽

Hospital Doctors ◽

Hiv Antibody Testing

Summary: Fifty surgeons and 72 preoperative patients in 2 central London hospitals were asked their views on preoperative HIV antibody testing, who is at risk of HIV infection and HIV test counselling. A substantial proportion of both surgeons and preoperative patients, 48% and 54% respectively, supported compulsory HIV antibody testing without patient consent. They believed this should occur as a routine practice prior to surgery. However, surgeons and patients differed in the preoperative patients to be considered for such testing. All surgeons advocating compulsory testing believed that it was only necessary for those patients belonging to high risk groups whilst preoperative patients believed that all patients should be HIV tested prior to surgery. Surgeons and patients also differed in their views on who was at risk of HIV infection. Surgeons believed those at risk to be members of identifiable risk groups whilst patients believed everyone was at risk, especially those engaging in high risk behaviours. Finally, when asked which health professionals they thought should be involved in HIV test counselling, both surgeons and patients agreed that hospital doctors, including surgeons themselves, should take on the responsibility of test counselling. The implications of this and routine HIV antibody testing are discussed.

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