Integrating routine HIV testing into a public health STD clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To integrate routine HIV testing into the services offered at a public health department STD clinic and document the rate of acceptance and rate of test positivity during the first 18 months.


METHODS
Testing for HIV was added to the array of tests offered to all patients at the Maricopa County STD clinic. Patients were informed of this new option at registration and were provided with a consent form and instructions to read the form and sign it, unless they did not desire testing. STD clinicians were responsible for insuring that questions regarding testing were answered and that consent forms were signed. HIV prevention was integrated into the general STD preventive messages during the clinical encounter.


RESULTS
Sixty-eight percent of patients accepted testing (12,176 of 17,875). Of these, 68 were HIV-positive, for a rate of 5.6 per 1,000. The positive rate for men was 8.6/1000 and for women 1.2/1,000. The rate for men who reported having sex with men (MSM) was 63.8/1,000. Fourteen of the HIV-positive MSM were co-infected with syphilis. Of the 68 who were HIV-positive, 58 (85.3%) were successfully located, informed of their test results, and referred for HIV treatment and support services.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV testing can be included in the routine battery of tests offered at an STD clinic with high patient acceptance. Routine testing can discover those who are unaware of their HIV-positive status, providing an opportunity for early referral for treatment, counseling to avoid disease transmission, and notification of sexual contacts.
Campos-Outcalt
Doug
D
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix Campus, 4001 N. Third St. Suite 415, Phoenix, AZ 85012, USA. dougco@u.arizona.edu
Mickey
Tom
T
Weisbuch
Jonathan
J
Jones
Robert
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology