Repeat HIV testing at voluntary testing and counseling centers in Croatia: successful HIV prevention or failure to modify risk behaviors?
HIV testing plays a critical role in preventing the spread of the virus and identifying infected individuals in need of care. Voluntary counseling and testing centers (VCTs) not only conduct testing but they also provide counseling. Since a proportion of people who test negative for HIV on their previous visit will return for retesting, the frequency of retesting and the characteristics of those who retest may provide insights into the efficacy of testing and counseling strategies. In this cross-sectional, retrospective study of 1,482 VCT clients in Croatia in 2010, 44.3% had been tested for HIV before. The rate of repeat HIV testing is lower in Croatia than in other countries. Men who have sex with men (MSM) clients, those with three or more sexual partners in the last 12 months, consistent condom users with steady partners, and intravenous drug users were more likely to be repeat testers. This finding suggests that clients presenting for repeat HIV testing are those who self-identify as being at a higher risk of infection. Our data showed that testing positive for HIV was not associated with repeat testing. However, the effects of repeat testing on HIV epidemiology needs to be explored.
University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Dr. Fran Mihaljević, Zagreb, Croatia.
Vlatka
V
Matković Puljić
Institute of Public Health Dr. Andrija Štampar, Zagreb, Croatia.
Mirjana Lana
ML
Kosanović Ličina
University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Dr. Fran Mihaljević, Zagreb, Croatia.
Marija
M
Kavić
National Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
Tatjana
T
Nemeth Blažić
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires