title: Correlates of having never been HIV tested among entrants to substance abuse treatment clinics: empiric findings from real-world New England settings.
abstract: Routine testing is the cornerstone to identifying HIV, but not all substance abuse treatment patients have been tested. This study is a real-world evaluation of predictors of having never been HIV tested among patients initiating substance abuse treatment. Participants (N = 614) from six New England clinics were asked whether they had ever been HIV tested. Eighty-five patients (13.8%) reported having never been tested and were compared to those who had undergone testing. Clinic, male gender (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07-3.41), and having fewer employment (AOR = 0.31; 95% CI = 0.11-0.88) and medical problems (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.17-0.99) were independently correlated with having never been HIV tested. Thus, there is still considerable room for improved testing strategies as a clinically significant minority of substance abuse patients have never undergone HIV testing when they initiate treatment.
authors: a Assistant Professor, Biology Department , Eastern Connecticut State University , Willimantic , CT.
authors: Jeanne J
authors: JJ
authors: Chadwick
authors: Leonardo F
authors: LF
authors: Andrade
authors: Frederick L
authors: FL
authors: Altice
authors: Nancy M
authors: NM
authors: Petry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009511:New England; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012698:Serologic Tests; D012737:Sex Factors; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
keywords: HIV; HIV testing; clinical settings; substance abuse treatment