Failure to return for HIV test results among persons at high risk for HIV infection: results from a multistate interview project.
BACKGROUND
Voluntary counseling and testing is an important strategy for HIV prevention. For optimal impact, however, clients must return for HIV test results and counseling. The goal of this study was to document the frequency of self-reported failure to return for HIV test results (FTR) and associated reasons among persons at high risk for HIV infection.


METHODS
Respondents were recruited at gay bars (men who have sex with men [MSM]), by street intercept (injection drug users [IDUs]), or at sexually transmitted disease clinics (high-risk heterosexuals [HRHs]) in 7 US states in 2000. Self-reported history of and reasons for FTR were evaluated.


RESULTS
FTR was commonly reported among 2241 respondents: 10% of MSM, 20% of HRHs, and 27% of IDUs reported FTR at least once. FTR was significantly (P < 0.05) more common among those with higher perceived risk of HIV infection and significantly less common among HRHs who had completed more than high school (vs. high school or General Education Development certificate) or were employed part time (vs. unemployed). About one fourth of respondents cited fear of getting test results as an important reason for FTR.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-reported occurrences of FTR in our venue-recruited sample were similar to proportions of FTR previously reported from publicly funded venues. Increased pretest counseling on fear of learning HIV status and on the availability of rapid testing may help to reduce FTR.
Sullivan
Patrick S
PS
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention-Surveillance and Epidemiology, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. pssØ@cdc.gov
Lansky
Amy
A
Drake
Amy
A
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D014481:United States