Implementation and evaluation of the Bridge Project: A HIV testing and linkage to care model offered at public aid offices in high HIV prevalence minority neighbors

Issue: Expanded HIV testing in non-clinical settings can help identify individuals unaware of their HIV status and increase HIV care access. We evaluated the impact of offering HIV testing and linkage to care services at public aid offices in high HIV prevalent Chicago neighborhoods. Description: We developed a coordinated HIV screening and linkage to care program model and implemented it in social service/public aid offices in 3 low-income community neighborhoods with high HIV prevalence rates. From May through December 2011, the testing collaborative provided 179 days of HIV testing and linkage to care services and administered 4,219 HIV screenings. Of those screened 49% were first time testers, 63% women, 86% African American, 10% Hispanic, 4% white, and average 34. We identified 25 positives for an overall seropositivity rate of 0.6%. Seropositivity rates varied by gender (1% for males vs. 0.4% for women, p = .03). Of those positive, 9 were newly diagnosed and 40% were successfully link to care services. Lessons Learned: HIV testing and linkage to care services in public aid offices can reach high numbers of first-time testers and at risk individuals who might otherwise not be tested. Linkages to care activities proved more challenging to implement without established mechanisms to quickly link to clients to care. These services can also serve as outreach mechanism to “re-link” those HIV+ individual disengaged from HIV care. Recommendation: The project model shows promise as a prevention strategy to reduce HIV transmission and increase access to care for high risk communities.