Time trends in failure to return for HIV test results.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine time trends of failure to return for HIV test results among a mobile van population in Los Angeles.


METHODS
This study examined administrative records from 9340 patients of the Mobile HIV Testing van between January 1997 and December 2004.


RESULTS
Between 1997 and 2004, a worsening trend was found in the percentage of clients who failed to return for HIV test results. Multivariate analyses showed that the adjusted odds of returning for test results significantly increased relative to 1997, the first year tested. The odds of returning for test results ranged from 1.56 (95% CI = 1.21, 2.00) in 1998 to 2.46 (95% CI = 1.89, 3.19) in 2004.


CONCLUSIONS
The proportion of MoHOP clients failing to return for test results was high and increased substantially between 1997 and 2004. Given the importance of identifying HIV-infected persons, understanding ways to improve return rates for test results is critical, especially for public health officials, clinicians, and researchers implementing and evaluating HIV prevention strategies.
Kinsler
Janni J
JJ
Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA. jkinsler@mednet.ucla.edu
Cunningham
William E
WE
Davis
Cynthia
C
Wong
Mitchell D
MD
D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D008952:Mobile Health Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*