This study examined the prevalence and correlates of completing the HIV testing process-specifically receiving a confirmatory HIV test and returning for the results-in a sample of newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals at an HIV testing center in New York City. Of the 213 individuals who received a reactive rapid HIV test result, 82% received a confirmatory HIV test. Of the 236 individuals who received a positive result on a rapid or traditional HIV test that was validated by a positive confirmatory HIV test, 65% returned for the confirmatory test results. Multivariate analyses revealed that being a non-U.S. citizen, homeless/living in transitional housing, being uninsured, and testing off-site were significantly associated with completing the HIV testing process. The findings indicate the need to explore strategies that address obstacles to receiving confirmatory HIV testing and returning for the results, in addition to the feasibility of a rapid confirmatory HIV test.
Results Of 10031 MSM attending MSHC, 58% (95% CI 57.4%-59.4%) (5655/9677) had hepatitis B surface antibody (HepBsAb), 11% (95% CI 10.0%-11.4%) (840/7888) had core antibody (HepBcAb) and 4% (95% CI 3.0%-4.5%) (95/2577) had surface antigen (HepBsAg) Background Over the past five years there have been increasing reports of HCV transmission in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) globally. It is unclear whether this increase is due to increased transmission or increased detection (due to increased testing). This paper investigated reasons for increased HCV notification in HIV-positive MSM. Methods HIV viral load test records between April 2006 and December 2011 were used to identify all HIV-positive patients attending three high MSM caseload clinics in Melbourne, Victoria. Their HCV test records were retrospectively linked over the same period. The following were determined: frequency of HCV testing; proportion of HIV-positive men tested for HCV annually; and HCV prevalence and incidence rate (per 100PY). Poisson regression calculated trends over time. Results 3007 HIV-positive men attended the clinics; 2190 (73%) were tested for HCV at least once, with 250 (11.4%) testing HCV positive over the study period. The prevalence of co-infection declined significantly from 11.9% in 2006 to 7.4% in 2011 (p = 0.01). The number of HIV-positive men tested for HCV increased each year although the proportion tested remained the same (approximately 75%) and testing frequency did not change (average 1.4 test/ person/year). 187 HIV-positive men were identified with HCV on their initial test and 63 incident infections were observed. HCV incidence among HIV-positive men was 1.55/100PY with no significant change over the study period. Conclusions We found that HCV incidence in HIV-positive MSM remained stable and that prevalence decreased in HIV-positive MSM throughout the study period. Our results suggest the increase in HCV case notifications among HIV-positive men may be explained by an overall increase in HCV testing in this population. The steady increase in the number of HIV-positive MSM who remain well and consequently routinely tested for HCV may be contributing the increase in HCV notifications.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.