title: Staff strategies for improving HIV detection using mobile HIV rapid testing.
abstract: This paper examines the performance of 13 mobile testing units (MTUs) and rapid HIV testing technology in Los Angeles County as reflected in the relationship between the cognitive strategies used by MTU staff regarding instructions to clients about picking up their test results and returning for test results, and following up with those clients who did not return, and the spatial distribution of MTUs and AIDS rates in 2003. Maps were created using geographic information systems (GIS) data on 93 MTU testing locations and 2003 AIDS cases data. MTU staff (N = 45) were interviewed and several themes were identified. MTU testing locations were clustered near high AIDS rate areas. Staff reports were obtained on 24 clients in the past 6 months who received HIV-negative test results and 24 clients during the same time period who received HIV-positive test results. Staff strategies that were used included keeping clients with them while rapid test results were being processed and adjusting to clients' schedules when arranging for picking up test results. Some staff used tangible incentives such as vouchers for area businesses to encourage preliminary HIV-positive clients to return for confirmatory test results. Staff also sought to convince clients who preliminarily tested HIV-positive to convert from anonymous to confidential testing in order to facilitate clients' linkage to treatment. The GIS findings and client risk data support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention policy of implementing MTUs and rapid testing in large urban communities with high AIDS rates.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Affairs/Department of Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles, 264 Haines Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1551, USA. grusky@ucla.edu
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Grusky
authors.forename: Kathleen Johnston
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Aimee-Noelle
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.forename: Harmony
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rhoades
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D008952:Mobile Health Units; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014505:Urban Population