The feasibility of using an 'opt-out' approach to achieve universal HIV testing of tuberculosis patients in Alberta.
OBJECTIVE
Universal HIV testing of tuberculosis (TB) patients, defined as testing greater than 80% of incident cases, has been recommended but not achieved in Canada. The objectives of this study were: i) to assess the success of an 'opt-out' approach, whereby HIV testing is routine unless the patient specifically chooses otherwise, and ii) to determine the risk factors for HIV in patients tested before and after this approach was implemented.


METHODS
TB and HIV databases in the province of Alberta were cross-matched before HAART (highly active anti-retroviral therapy) was available (1991-1997), after HAART but before 'opt-out' testing was implemented (1998-2002), and after 'opt-out' testing was implemented (2003-2006), and the HIV status of TB patients in each time period was described. The demographic and clinical characteristics of HIV-positive and -negative TB patients aged 15-64 years were compared.


RESULTS
HIV testing of TB patients increased from 11.5% before HAART, to 44.9% after HAART but before 'opt-out' testing, to 81.9% after 'opt-out' testing was implemented. Between 1991 and 2006, 50 TB patients were diagnosed with HIV co-infection, all in the age group 15-64 years. Among TB patients aged 15-64 years who were HIV tested, those testing positive were significantly less likely to be female and to have respiratory TB and significantly more likely to have both respiratory and non-respiratory TB. The prevalence of HIV positivity in HIV-tested TB patients aged 15-64 years was 7.4% in 2003-2006.


CONCLUSIONS
Universal HIV testing of TB patients is achievable through 'opt-out' HIV testing.
Sturtevant
Doris
D
Department of Medicine and School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Preiksaitis
Jutta
J
Singh
Ameeta
A
Houston
Stan
S
Gill
John
J
Predy
Gerry
G
Fisher
Dina
D
Senthilselvan
Ambikaipakan
A
Manfreda
Jure
J
Boffa
Jody
J
Long
Richard
R
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents