title: Preferences for rapid point-of-care HIV testing in primary care.
abstract: Although the identification of individuals infected with HIV is an important element of treatment and prevention programs, many people living with HIV are unaware of their status. Thus, individuals are unable to benefit from treatment, and preventable HIV transmission continues to occur. Rapid point-of-care testing for HIV has been found to be preferred by patients in some contexts. However, few studies have examined preferences in primary care populations. This study investigates HIV testing preferences within an urban primary care clinic. Employing a cross-sectional design, data were collected on demographic characteristics, HIV risk factors, and testing history and preferences of participants. A total of 81% of participants stated that they would prefer rapid testing to standard testing, a finding that is consistent across demographic variables and risk factors examined. Increased availability of this modality may decrease barriers to HIV testing, with positive implications both for clinical management of HIV infection and prevention of HIV transmission.
authors.affiliation: 1Public Health and Preventive Medicine Residency Program, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwandt
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nicolle
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status; D057240:Patient Preference; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult