Teens Significantly More Prone To Get HIV Screening With Quick Testing

Teens presenting at a main care clinic focused on improving HIV screening rates using rapid screening methods and physician collaboration were a lot more than 1,000% more apt to be screened for infection, according to analyze published in Pediatrics.

The experts included that since youths are prone to receive health care and screenings in primary care, physicians practicing in this setting are an important element of improving HIV screening rates.

Between March 2014 and June 2015, Arrington-Sanders and colleagues conducted a four-part quality improvement study at an academic pediatric primary care practice situated in a place with a high prevalence of HIV. The clinic provided care to patients aged 25 years and younger.

The product quality improvement intervention included collaboration between a group of medical directors, nurse managers, social workers and certified health educators from both primary care and HIV clinics. The group met weekly to review screening in the primary care practice.

Based on the researchers, 4,433 visits occurred for patients aged between 13 and 25 years were identified as candidates for screening based on CDC recommendations. However, the baseline HIV screening rate was only 29.6% in the beginning of the study.

Many individuals at the clinic screened for HIV received a rapid screening method (90.4%). This type of screening, according to the researchers, provided more same-day results for patients.

During the study, five patients tested positive for HIV and were linked to HIV care on-site for a passing fancy day as their screening. The researchers wrote that three of the five patients were still in care by the end of the study.

"High screening rates in today's study may be a results of removing the stigma associated with requesting an HIV test by offering routine opt-out rapid tests," Arrington-Sanders and colleagues wrote. "Data demonstrate that youth would rather be offered screening for HIV rather than asking for it. Not requiring explicit parental consent for HIV screening may also have promoted screening among younger patients. Previous work reveals that minors perceive the necessity of parental consent to become a barrier to accessing HIV screening."