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Implementing an HIV Rapid Testing Intervention for Homeless Veterans in Shelter Settings within Los Angeles County, USA

Implementing an HIV Rapid Testing Intervention for Homeless Veterans in Shelter Settings within... AbstractWe implemented and evaluated an HIV rapid testing intervention in collaboration withthe US Department of Veterans Affairs and the Los Angeles County Department ofHealth to 1) increase HIV testing/receipt of results, and 2) increase veteran access to VA homeless services.Ninety-seven veterans recruited in 9 shelters as part of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) emergency shelter program were randomized (2-to-1 ratio) into one of two interventional arms: rapid test (RT) arm (on-site HIV rapid testing/referral to VA homeless program) and referral arm (VA referral only).Recruiters approached 2664 individuals; 136 (5.1%) were eligible. Ninety-seven (71.3% of those eligible) accepted enrollment. Testing rates were 100.0% in RT arm and 3.3%in Referral arm (p<0.001). Test result receipt rates were 98.5% in RT arm and 0.0% in Referral arm (p<0.001). There was no increase in visits to VA homeless programs in either arm. HIV prevalence/rate of new incidence was 1.5%. While more than half admitted high-risk behaviors in the past 12 months, 78% reported chances of HIV infection as “none” or “low” rather than “moderate” or “high.”On-site rapid testing in homeless shelters is feasible and acceptable for testing hard-toreach and vulnerable populations. More robust outreach efforts are needed to improve linkage to care. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Social Distress and Homeless Taylor & Francis

Implementing an HIV Rapid Testing Intervention for Homeless Veterans in Shelter Settings within Los Angeles County, USA

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References (36)

Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Copyright
© 2009 Maney
ISSN
1573-658X
eISSN
1053-0789
DOI
10.1179/105307809805365127
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

AbstractWe implemented and evaluated an HIV rapid testing intervention in collaboration withthe US Department of Veterans Affairs and the Los Angeles County Department ofHealth to 1) increase HIV testing/receipt of results, and 2) increase veteran access to VA homeless services.Ninety-seven veterans recruited in 9 shelters as part of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) emergency shelter program were randomized (2-to-1 ratio) into one of two interventional arms: rapid test (RT) arm (on-site HIV rapid testing/referral to VA homeless program) and referral arm (VA referral only).Recruiters approached 2664 individuals; 136 (5.1%) were eligible. Ninety-seven (71.3% of those eligible) accepted enrollment. Testing rates were 100.0% in RT arm and 3.3%in Referral arm (p<0.001). Test result receipt rates were 98.5% in RT arm and 0.0% in Referral arm (p<0.001). There was no increase in visits to VA homeless programs in either arm. HIV prevalence/rate of new incidence was 1.5%. While more than half admitted high-risk behaviors in the past 12 months, 78% reported chances of HIV infection as “none” or “low” rather than “moderate” or “high.”On-site rapid testing in homeless shelters is feasible and acceptable for testing hard-toreach and vulnerable populations. More robust outreach efforts are needed to improve linkage to care.

Journal

Journal of Social Distress and Homeless – Taylor & Francis

Published: Dec 1, 2009

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