Compared with conventional testing, clinic-based rapid HIV testing was associated with an early — but not a sustained — increase in testing rates.
The majority of new HIV infections are transmitted by people, many in high-risk groups, who do not know their HIV status. Investigators in Australia have now compared two strategies for HIV testing in a cohort of 400 men who have sex with men (MSM) seen in a public sexual health clinic; each had received a negative result from an HIV test within the preceding 2 years.
Participants, all of whom were reminded regularly by text message to undergo testing, were randomized to one of two clinic-based HIV testing protocols:
Conventional testing: venipuncture and HIV antibody testing, followed by a return clinic visit in 1 week to receive the result
Rapid testing: fingerstick blood testing with results available within 20 minutes
During the 18-month st…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)