title: Results from a multiple morbidities testing program offering rapid HIV testing bundled with hepatitis and sexually transmitted infection testing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bundling human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing with tests for other infectious diseases such as hepatitis C, syphilis, or gonorrhea has been proposed as a method to recruit at-risk individuals into HIV testing. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the types of at-risk clients who choose the rapid vs. standard HIV test when bundled with hepatitis and sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests, and (2) whether clients receiving a rapid HIV test are more likely to return on time for hepatitis and STI test results.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited individuals from drug treatment programs, methadone maintenance programs, needle-exchange programs, a community-based agency serving the gay and lesbian community, and the Center for Behavioral Research and Services' office-based testing facility at California State University, Long Beach from January 2005 through November 2007.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 2,031 clients from a multiple morbidities testing program in Long Beach, California, were tested between January 2005 and November 2007. For clients receiving hepatitis and STI testing, the majority chose the standard HIV test. Clients who received a rapid HIV test returned in significantly fewer days than clients who received a standard HIV test. Injection drug users and sex traders were more likely to choose the standard HIV test and more likely to fail to return for test results on time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rapid HIV test, in conjunction with hepatitis and STI tests, results in clients being more likely to return on time for hepatitis and STI results. Public health efforts should focus on acquainting high-risk clients with rapid HIV testing.
authors.affiliation: Health Care Administration, Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University, Long Beach, 1090 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90813, USA. greynol2@csulb.edu
authors.forename: Grace L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Dennis G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Lucy E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Napper
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Marsh
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Willey
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brooks
mesh_terms: D001499:Bayes Theorem; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000635:transmission; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000635:transmission; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires