Benefits of Offering Rapid HIV Testing in Public Health Centers

Background:
The Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness STD clinic is the largest STD clinic in Georgia. The majority of the clients come in for a one time visit. STD screening, “stat” laboratory evaluation for certain infections including Gonorrhea, Trichomonas, Candida, evaluation of genital lesions and rapid testing for Syphilis is offered to allow same day treatment. Rapid HIV testing is offered for identification of HIV infection in those at high risk, those that may not return for test results, or those needing urgent care, i.e., pregnant women.

Objective:
A retrospective analysis of the results of the rapid HIV tests performed January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2007, was conducted to identify the benefits of Rapid HIV testing in the STD clinic:
1.Compared the interval of closing the case following partner notifications for HIV infected detected initially through Rapid HIV testing as compared through the regular HIV testing.
2.Evaluated the benefit of rapid HIV testing to expedite linking clients to Primary Care.

Method:
Compared average time spent on interviewing clients on the basis of presumptive positive tests after rapid HIV testing, testing partners, linking to the HIV primary care clinic after the positive Western Blot test has returned to the time spent if a routine (non-rapid) HIV test was performed.

Result:
Eighty HIV positive clients were identified through rapid testing within a six month period. Forty three percent were enrolled in HIV primary care. The time spent on closing the cases for partner notification for those that received Oraquick was shorter than for those that received regular HIV tests.

Conclusion:
Rapid HIV testing in the public health clinic facilitates enrollment in the HIV primary care service.

Implications:
Oraquick testing, in public health clinic that serves high risk clients, assists in expediting partner referrals and linkages to the HIV primary care clinic.