Using event-based HIV testing to increase awareness of HIV status and identify undiagnosed infection among black populations: The behavioral assessment and rapid testing (BART) project

Introduction: In the US, blacks, including black men who have sex with men (MSM), have disproportionately high rates of HIV infection. Studies show half of HIV-infected minority MSM was unaware of their HIV status, and > 33% of HIV-infected blacks are diagnosed late in their illness. Offering HIV rapid testing (HRT) in non-clinical settings can increase awareness of HIV status and may lead to reduced HIV transmission. We implemented event-based HRT among high-risk populations that may not have access to routine testing.

Methods: During 2009-2011, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Assessment and Rapid Testing (BART) project offered HRT at 15 non-clinical social and cultural events specifically attracting minority MSM or blacks. We used event-specific recruitment, testing, and confidential counseling strategies and referred all HIV-positive persons to care.

Results: We tested 3730 black participants, of whom 701 (19%) identified as MSM and 2097 (56%) were women. Of 1048 (28%) black participants who had not been previously tested for HIV, 627 (60%) were women and 90 (9%) were MSM. Of 111 (3%) black participants with HIV-positive results, 24 (22%) had not been tested in the past year and another 14 (13%) had never been previously tested. Overall, 89 (80%) of HIV-infected black participants, including 9 (8%) women, and 70 (63%) MSM were not aware of their infection.

Conclusion: By offering HIV testing at social and cultural events attracting black populations, we increased awareness of HIV status among high-risk populations and identified undiagnosed infection among black women and black MSM.