AEGiS-13IAC: Using a rapid test in counselling HIV testing services in Guatemalan urban clinic.

13th International AIDS Conference

Durban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000

Using a rapid test in counselling HIV testing services in Guatemalan urban clinic.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. TuOrC306)

Samayoa B, Martinez M, Velasquez T, Fuentes Urrutia Z, Ramirez JM
B. Samayoa, Asociacion de Salud Integral, 1a Avenida 11-19 Zona 1, Guatemala 01001, Guatemala, Tel.: +502 220 8506, Fax: +502 251 6531, E-mail: asiagpcs@guate.net

BACKGROUND: HIV counselling and testing services at our clinic covers more than the 60% of the AIDS cases nationally reported. In spite of this we determined that only the 60% of the clients return for their results. Based on this fact we decided to improve our traditional method of HIV testing by using a rapid test.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if the percentage of return increases by using a rapid test and to describe other factors associated to the return of the clients in this clinic.

METHODOLOGY: A sample of 400 clients using HIV counselling and testing services in a hospital clinic in the urban area of Guatemala City. The data collection was performed by using an face to face interview. The samples blood were obtained following the universal precautions. All the samples were analized using a rapid test, ELISA method and confirmed by Western Blot (Determine and ELISA HIV-1/HIV-2, Abbott Laboratories and Ortho HIV). The data was analized by frecuencies and Chi-Square test in EPI-6 Info program.

RESULTS: The use of the rapid test increasead significantly the percentage of return in a 9% (p = 0.01) in this population. In addittion, we determined that the clients return if they had a negative previous result (p = 0.01) or if they are living in the urban area ( p = 0.01). However, we found that the clients did not return if they know their positive status (p = 0.03) or if the test was done close to the weekend (p = 0.08). We also found that neither gender, age or occupational status were related to the return of this clients ( p >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: 1) The use of the rapid test increasead significantly the percentage of return in these clients. 2) The rapid test could replace ELISA test as screening method in this clinic. 3) We need to explore the impact of other factors, which could be associated to the return in this population.

Keywords: AEGIS, Counseling, HIV Infections, Ambulatory Care Facilities, HIV Seropositivity, HIV, HIV-1, HIV-2, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seroprevalence, HIV Antibodies, HIV Seronegativity, Research Design, Blotting, Western, Guatemala, Human, utilization, immunology
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