| Title | Evaluation of a rapid HIV testing initiative in an urban, hospital-based dental clinic. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2010 |
| Authors | Blackstock, Oni J., James R. King, Roger D. Mason, Cynthia C. Lee, and Sharon B. Mannheimer |
| Journal | AIDS patient care and STDs |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Pagination | 781-5 |
| Date Published | 2010 Dec |
| ISSN | 1557-7449 |
| Keywords | Adult, AIDS Serodiagnosis, Counseling, Delivery of Health Care, Integrated, Dental Clinics, Female, HIV Infections, HIV-1, Hospitals, Urban, Humans, Male, New York City, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Time Factors |
| Abstract | Performing rapid HIV testing in nontraditional clinical settings such as dental clinics is a potential method for targeting high-risk individuals who may not otherwise access health care settings that offer HIV testing. In March 2008, Harlem Hospital Center, located in New York City, launched a counselor-based rapid HIV testing initiative in its on-site dental clinic. A full-time, trained counselor consented and tested patients as they waited for their appointments. HIV screening was performed using a whole-blood, finger-stick rapid HIV test. Through this initiative, 3864 HIV tests were performed from March 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009, representing 3565 unique individuals and 97.6% of dental patients approached for testing. Of those tested, the mean age was 38.5 years, with 47.1% female, 75.5% black, and 20.6% Hispanic. Self-reported HIV risk behaviors included 73.5% with recent unprotected heterosexual intercourse, 4.6% with recent or past injection drug use, and 2.6% who identified as men who have sex with men. Nineteen previously undiagnosed individuals (0.53%) were confirmed HIV positive. Of these individuals, mean age was 38.3 years with males representing 84.2%. Fifteen newly diagnosed patients (78.9%) were linked to care. Of those linked to care, median initial CD4 cell count was 317 cells/mm(3); 6 of these individuals (40%) had CD4 cell counts below 200 cells/mm(3). Our results demonstrate that a counselor-based rapid HIV testing program with linkage to specialized HIV care can be successfully integrated into the dental clinic setting. |
| DOI | 10.1007/s11606-010-1323-z |
| Alternate Journal | AIDS Patient Care STDS |
