181898 Reaching the target: An innovative HIV testing model

Monday, October 27, 2008

Elizabeth A. Torrone, MSPH , School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Caryl B. Feldacker, MPH , Carolina Population Center and Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Matthew A. Triplettte , School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Justin C. Smith, BA , School of Medicine- Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of North Carolina at Chapel HIll, Chapel Hill, NC
Peter A. Leone, MD , Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel HIll, Chapel Hill, NC
Issues. Non-traditional testing site (NTS) programs can increase access to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing for disenfranchised populations; however, such programs vary in their ability to access high-risk populations and provide low-cost, high quality care. Through community partnerships and referral service linkages, the Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) developed and implemented a successful, low-cost, innovative model of client recruitment, counseling, testing, and referral for HIV services. Description. SHAC is a student-run health clinic located in the Southeast that provides free health care to underserved populations. The SHAC HIV testing model includes: 1) an inter-disciplinary team of student volunteers; 2) universal, consent-based testing with individualized pre- and post-test counseling; 3) oral-fluid rapid HIV tests; 4) aggressive Internet-based outreach; and 5) a continuum of care from an alliance of providers for follow-up testing, treatment, and care. Lessons learned. In 2007, SHAC provided free HIV tests to 389 people with nine confirmed positive results. This yielded a percent positivity of 2.3 which was higher than any other NTS in the state. All nine clients followed-up for confirmatory testing at an infectious disease clinic; two clients participated in a counseling and support services program. By using established community resources and innovative outreach, the model is effective in identifying undiagnosed cases of HIV and providing expedited linkage into medical care and social support services. Recommendations. This successful model can be adopted by other student-run health clinics or NTS programs to improve access to quality HIV test counseling and increase access to care for at-risk populations.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe a low-cost, innovative model of client recruitment, counseling, testing, and referral for HIV services using a student-run health service. 2. List strategies to improve quality HIV prevention counseling and increase access to testing for at-risk populations. 3. Understand the benefit of using Internet-based client recruitment for HIV testing programs.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been involved in the HIV testing project which is the subject of the abstract. I am familiar with the methods used in the abstract and the strengths and limitations of the project. I am a doctoral candidate in Epidemiology with a research focus on HIV prevention and testing.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Emerging Scholars in HIV-Related Research
See more of: HIV/AIDS