Predictors of HIV Testing in Pediatric and Young Adults Emergency Department, Chicago, 2012

Introduction: According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, prevalence of HIV amongst teenagers and young adults is rising and most are unaware of their HIV status. Study objective was to review factors that influence HIV testing in the Pediatric Emergency Department (ED).

Methods:We extracted all clinical encounters for patients aged 13 to 24 years of age that received care in the emergency department ED from January to December 2012. We selected a sample of the encounters stratified by season of the year to reflect seasonal differences. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was used to explore the effect of various independent predictors on HIV testing rates.

Results: Of the 1930 clinical encounters sample selected, 1598 (82%) were eligible for testing, of these 280 (18%) received an HIV test. Of the 280 that were tested 177(63%) were females, 235 (84%) were aged between 18 and 24 years, 184(65%) were African Americans, 89 (31%) were tested during the summer season, and 107(38%) were tested during the 2^ndshift. In multivariate analysis, African American (Odds Ratio [OR], 1.9; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.2 – 2.9), Female (OR 1.7; 95%CI, 1.3-2.2), and age category 18-24 years (OR 2.4; 95%CI, 1.7-3.4); were significant predictors of HIV testing. Shift encounter occurred, season of the year, were not significant predictors.

Discussion: HIV testing was low among eligible patients demonstrating the need for active staff interventions and training to emphasize HIV testing requirements. Increase HIV testing rates will lead to early identification and direction into care for patients identified as infected.