title: The Importance of School Staff Referrals and Follow-Up in Connecting High School Students to HIV and STD Testing.
abstract: This study examined predictors of having received HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing and having been referred by school staff for HIV/STD testing. In 2014, students in seven high schools completed paper-and-pencil questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, sexual behavior, referrals for HIV/STD testing, and HIV/STD testing. The analytic sample ( n = 11,303) was 50.7% female, 40.7% Hispanic/Latino, 34.7% Black/African American (non-Hispanic), and mean age was 15.86 ( SD = 1.22). After controlling for demographic characteristics, significant predictors of reporting having been tested for HIV or STDs were reporting having received a referral for HIV/STD testing (odds ratio [ OR] = 3.18; 95% CI = [2.14, 4.70]) and reporting staff following-up on the referral ( OR = 3.29; 95% CI = [1.31, 8.23]). Students reporting referrals had significantly higher odds of being male ( OR = 2.49; 95% CI = [1.70, 3.65]), "other" or multiracial (non-Hispanic; compared to White, non-Hispanic; OR = 2.72; 95% CI = [1.35, 5.46]), sexual minority ( OR = 3.80; 95% CI = [2.57, 5.62]), and sexually experienced ( OR = 2.58; 95% CI = [1.76, 3.795]). School staff referrals with follow-up may increase HIV/STD testing among students.
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Adolescent and School Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Rasberry
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Adolescent and School Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Liddon
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Adolescent and School Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Susan Hocevar
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Adkins
authors.affiliation: 2 ICF International, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Lesesne
authors.affiliation: 2 ICF International, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hebert
authors.affiliation: 3 ICF International, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kroupa
authors.affiliation: 2 ICF International, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: India D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.affiliation: 4 Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Elana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D012573:School Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States
keywords: HIV; adolescent; referral; schools; sexually transmitted diseases; sexually transmitted infections; testing; youth