Marseille 2007
| Abstract #360 - Evaluation of fasTest pilot for rapid HIV testing in community settings in England | ||||
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Session: 37.8: Navigating risk and safety (Parallel) on Tuesday @ 14.00-16.00 in Auditorium/Overflow Chaired by Susan M. Kiene, Danuta Kasprzyk Authors: Presenting Author: Mr Peter Weatherburn - Sigma Research, United Kingdom |
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| Aim: This evaluation aimed to assess the feasibility, accessibility and acceptability of rapid HIV testing services in community settings. It also considered the cost and effectiveness of such services. | ||||
| Method / Issue: In 2005 Terrence Higgins Trust launched six rapid HIV testing sites in collaboration with local Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) services. Services were hosted at NGOs usually after 5pm, with no appointment necessary. Tests were administered by nursing or health advising staff from GUM collaborators using Abbott Determine HIV test kits. Positives gave a blood sample and were fast-tracked into standard HIV services. All testers were asked to self-complete a 4 page questionnaire prior to testing and with consent positives were contacted for follow-up telephone interviews. Extensive monitoring data was collated regarding the number of attendances, tests, positive results and follow-up serology results for those testing positive. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Of 1692 testers, 1564 completed our questionnaire (92% response rate). Half (51%) were gay or bisexual men, a quarter (27%) heterosexual women and a fifth heterosexual men (21%). Half of heterosexual women and a third of heterosexual men were not of White ethnicities. Half (49%) of the heterosexuals and a quarter (26%) of gay men had never tested for HIV before. Extensive sexual behaviour measures suggested that the majority were at risk of HIV exposure. Of those completing the questionnaire, 3.0% received a positive result: 3.8% of gay men compared to 2.3% of heterosexual females and 1.7% of heterosexual males. Individual expectations of test results did not predict actual HIV test outcomes. Comparisons of initial CD4 and viral load data with positives diagnosed in standard GUM settings, show no evidence that these community testing sites diagnose people any earlier in their disease history. | ||||
| Discussion: Rapid HIV testing services in community settings are feasible, though not easy to establish or maintain. They are highly acceptable to all users, including those testing positive, especially when they are available after working hours and without an appointment. While these community services probably do not diagnose people with HIV any sooner in their disease history, they expand choice and increase capacity. We estimate each test cost about 180 euros (range 120 - 240) depending on the volume of users attending the site. | ||||
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