title: Adolescent preferences for human immunodeficiency virus testing methods and impact of rapid tests on receipt of results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) tests may be more acceptable to adolescents and may improve receipt of test results. We conducted a study to determine (a) adolescent preferences for different HIV testing methods (rapid oral fluid vs. rapid fingerstick vs. traditional venipuncture), (b) factors associated with choice of a rapid vs. traditional test, and (c) whether those who chose a rapid method were more likely to receive test results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (N=99, 13-22 years old, both genders) were recruited from an urban hospital-based adolescent primary care clinic, agreed to HIV testing with their choice of method, and completed a questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics and attitudes about HIV testing. Logistic regression modeling was used to determine factors associated with choice of a rapid versus traditional test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Half (50.5%) of participants chose rapid oral fluid testing, 30.3% traditional venipuncture testing, and 19.2% rapid fingerstick testing (p < .01). Factors independently associated with choice of a rapid versus traditional method included preference for an oral fluid versus blood test and perceived approval of HIV testing by one's healthcare provider. Participants who chose a rapid test were more likely to receive their test results within the follow-up period than participants who chose a traditional test (91.3% vs. 46.7%, p < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, 70% of adolescents preferred rapid to traditional HIV testing, and rapid testers were more likely to receive their results within the follow-up period. Offering rapid testing may lead to improved receipt of results among adolescents in urban primary care settings.
authors.affiliation: Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. tanya.mullins@cchmc.org
authors.forename: Tanya L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Kowalczyk Mullins
authors.forename: Paula K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Braverman
authors.forename: Lorah D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Dorn
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Kollar
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kahn
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012463:Saliva / Q000821:virology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic