Adolescent Preferences for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing Methods and Impact of Rapid Tests on Receipt of Results

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health 2010-02, Vol.46 (2), p.162-168
• Main Authors: Kowalczyk Mullins, Tanya L., M.D., M.S, Braverman, Paula K., M.D, Dorn, Lorah D., Ph.D, Kollar, Linda M., M.S.N, Kahn, Jessica A., M.D., M.P.H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - psychology; Adolescents; AIDS serodiagnosis; AIDS Serodiagnosis - methods; Biological and medical sciences; Choice Behavior; Cross-sectional studies; Female; Health knowledge, attitudes, and practice; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; HIV; HIV Antibodies - analysis; HIV Antibodies - blood; HIV Infections - diagnosis; HIV Infections - prevention & control; Human viral diseases; Humans; Immunodeficiencies; Immunodeficiencies. Immunoglobulinopathies; Immunopathology; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Pediatrics; Point-of-care systems; Preferences; Prevention and actions; Primary health care; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Questionnaires; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; Saliva - virology; Sensitivity and Specificity; Specific populations (family, woman, child, elderly...); Testing; United States - epidemiology; Urban Population - statistics & numerical data; Venipuncture; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1054-139X; 1879-1972
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.06.015

Abstract Purpose Rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) tests may be more acceptable to adolescents and may improve receipt of test results. We conducted a study to determine (a) adolescent preferences for different HIV testing methods (rapid oral fluid vs. rapid fingerstick vs. traditional venipuncture), (b) factors associated with choice of a rapid vs. traditional test, and (c) whether those who chose a rapid method were more likely to receive test results. Methods Participants (N = 99, 13–22 years old, both genders) were recruited from an urban hospital-based adolescent primary care clinic, agreed to HIV testing with their choice of method, and completed a questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics and attitudes about HIV testing. Logistic regression modeling was used to determine factors associated with choice of a rapid versus traditional test. Results Half (50.5%) of participants chose rapid oral fluid testing, 30.3% traditional venipuncture testing, and 19.2% rapid fingerstick testing ( p < .01). Factors independently associated with choice of a rapid versus traditional method included preference for an oral fluid versus blood test and perceived approval of HIV testing by one's healthcare provider. Participants who chose a rapid test were more likely to receive their test results within the follow-up period than participants who chose a traditional test (91.3% vs. 46.7%, p < .001). Conclusions In this study, 70% of adolescents preferred rapid to traditional HIV testing, and rapid testers were more likely to receive their results within the follow-up period. Offering rapid testing may lead to improved receipt of results among adolescents in urban primary care settings.