title: Piloting HIV rapid testing in community-based settings in Estonia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the European Union it is estimated that up to 30% of HIV-infected people are not aware of their status. Community-based testing (CBT) models are implemented to increase the uptake of HIV testing.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this project was to assess the feasibility and acceptance of HIV rapid testing in CBT settings in Estonia to identify non-clinical recruitment venues for people more likely to engage in high-risk behaviours.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants for this anonymous, cross-sectional study were recruited from a syringe exchange programme and gay-oriented locations using convenience sampling. Socio-demographic and HIV testing preferences data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. HIV rapid testing was performed using Determine HIV-1/2 (Abbott) rapid test system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a participation rate of 88.3%, this project enrolled 308 persons and identified 58 preliminary positive cases. Out of them, 52 reported injecting drug use in last 12 months and 30 reported no previous HIV test. Approximately 45% of all participants preferred rapid testing while 25% reported a preference for a full blood test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This project demonstrates that HIV rapid testing in community-based settings in Eastern Europe can be an effective approach for reaching people who engage in high-risk behaviours and increasing the number of HIV-infected people who are aware of their status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Drug Abuse Prevention, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia. kristi.ruutel@tai.ee
authors.forename: Kristi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rüütel
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ustina
authors.forename: R David
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003153:Community Health Services; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004957:Estonia; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors