Factors associated with HIV testing among patients seeking emergent injury care in Kigali, Rwanda

• Published in: African Journal of Emergency Medicine 2022-09, Vol.12 (3), p.281-286
• Main Authors: Beeman, Aly, Gonzalez Marques, Catalina, Tang, Oliver Y, Uwamahoro, Chantal, Jarmale, Spandana, Mutabazi, Zeta, Ndebwanimana, Vincent, Uwamahoro, Doris, Niyonsaba, Mediatrice, Stephen, Andrew, Aluisio, Adam R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Emergency care; Global health; HIV; Low- and middle-income countries; Original; Rwanda
• ISSN: 2211-419X; 2211-4203
• DOI: 10.1016/j.afjem.2022.05.001

Emergency centres (ECs) can be important access points for HIV testing. In Rwanda, one in eight people with HIV are unaware of their infection status, which impedes epidemic control. This could be addressed via increased testing. This cross-sectional study evaluated factors associated with EC-based HIV testing among injured patients at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali (CHUK), in Kigali, Rwanda. Adult injury patients were prospectively enrolled between January-June 2020. Trained study personnel collected data on demographics, injury aspects, treatments, HIV testing, and disposition. The primary outcome was the completion of EC-based HIV testing. Differences between those receiving and those not receiving testing were assessed. Regression models yielding adjusted odds ratios with associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to quantify magnitudes of effect. Among 579 patients, the majority were under 45 years of age (78.1%) and male (74.4%). The most common mechanism of injury was road traffic accidents (50.3%). EC discharge occurred in 54.4% of cases. HIV testing was performed in 221 (38.2%) cases, of which 5.9% had a positive result. HIV testing was more likely among males (aOR=1.69, 95% CI: 1.02-2.78; p=0.04), cases transported by prehospital services (aOR=2.07, 95% CI: 1.28-3.35; p=0.003) and those receiving surgical consultation (aOR=3.13, 95% CI: 1.99-4.94; p