National HIV Prevention Conference Atlanta, Georgia, USA — July 27 - 30, 2003

Natl HIV Prev Conf 2003 July 27-30:abstract no. M1-G0504
Simmons EM, Frierson GM, Flanigan TP
Brown University- Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:: The CDC estimates that of the 1 million people infected with infected, over 300,000 are unaware of their status. An ideal setting for detection and early identification of HIV infection is in the primary care setting.

METHODS: A convenience sample of community health center patients in Providence, Rhode Island was undertaken to determine patients' attitudes towards HIV testing. One hundred and one patients (79% female, mean age 34, 60% Black and Latino) completed a self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS: The mean number of sexual partners was nine for males and four for females. Ninety percent of the respondents considered themselves to be at low or no risk for HIV infection, although 89% wanted to be tested regularly (15% once, 34% biannually and 40% annually). Seventy-nine percent wanted their primary care provider (PCP) to do the testing. Three-fourths of those sampled would accept testing on the day of the questionnaire if it had been offered. Over half of all the respondents preferred serum testing to other methods. Although black participants were more likely to want serum testing for HIV, (chi-square=3.919, p=. 043) there were no other significant group differences (Black vs. Latino) for the preceding data.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients in primary care often perceive themselves to be at low risk despite sexual risk. Eighty- six percent wanted routine testing for HIV done by their PCP on a routine basis, in contradistinction to risk history testing. Interventions to increase routine HIV testing within primary care are needed. Sponsored by a NCI R025 Training Grant.

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M1-G0504

Copyright © 2003 - US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).