Research Paper

Frequent HIV testing among participants of a routine HIV testing program

Volume 1, Issue 2   March/April 2010
Pages 68 - 71
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/viru.1.2.10570
Authors: Hazel Williams-Roberts, Yuchiao Chang, Elena Losina, Kenneth A. Freedberg and Rochelle P. Walensky

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Abstract:
Massachusetts developed a routine HIV testing program in four sites from January–September 2002. Of the 2,502 patients tested, 453 (18.1%) reported ≥2 HIV tests within the prior three years. In multivariate analyses, frequent HIV testing was associated with younger age (18–30 years, OR = 1.42), a history of injection drug use (OR = 6.35), and men who had sex with men (OR = 3.49). Participants who reported multiple sexual partners (OR = 2.17) and high risk sexual behavior (OR = 2.02) were significantly more likely to have had a prior HIV test. Patients whose HIV risk was unknown had the highest association with frequent testing (OR = 13.18). Because characteristics of frequent HIV testers may inform behavioral interventions, there is a need to understand the motivation for repeatedly accessing HIV testing services.

Received: August 28, 2009; Accepted: November 10, 2009

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