Comparison of patient comprehension of rapid HIV pre-test fundamentals by information delivery format in an emergency department setting.
BACKGROUND
Two trials were conducted to compare emergency department patient comprehension of rapid HIV pre-test information using different methods to deliver this information.


METHODS
Patients were enrolled for these two trials at a US emergency department between February 2005 and January 2006. In Trial One, patients were randomized to a no pre-test information or an in-person discussion arm. In Trial Two, a separate group of patients were randomized to an in-person discussion arm or a Tablet PC-based video arm. The video, "Do you know about rapid HIV testing?", and the in-person discussion contained identical Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-suggested pre-test information components as well as information on rapid HIV testing with OraQuick. Participants were compared by information arm on their comprehension of the pre-test information by their score on a 26-item questionnaire using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.


RESULTS
In Trial One, 38 patients completed the no-information arm and 31 completed the in-person discussion arm. Of these 69 patients, 63.8% had twelve years or fewer of formal education and 66.7% had previously been tested for HIV. The mean score on the questionnaire for the in-person discussion arm was higher than for the no information arm (18.7 vs. 13.3, p < or = 0.0001). In Trial Two, 59 patients completed the in-person discussion and 55 completed the video arms. Of these 114 patients, 50.9% had twelve years or fewer of formal education and 68.4% had previously been tested for HIV. The mean score on the questionnaire for the video arm was similar to the in-person discussion arm (20.0 vs. 19.2; p < or = 0.33).


CONCLUSIONS
The video "Do you know about rapid HIV testing?" appears to be an acceptable substitute for an in-person pre-test discussion on rapid HIV testing with OraQuick. In terms of adequately informing ED patients about rapid HIV testing, either form of pre-test information is preferable than for patients to receive no pre-test information.
Merchant
Roland C
RC
Department of Emergency Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. rmerchant@lifespan.org
Gee
Erin M
EM
Clark
Melissa A
MA
Mayer
Kenneth H
KH
Seage
George R
GR
Degruttola
Victor G
VG
D000328:Adult; D032882:Comprehension; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D004522:Educational Status; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012237:Rhode Island; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014741:Video Recording