Demographic Variations in HIV Testing History among Emergency Department Patients: Implications for Hiv Screening in US Emergency Departments
Open Access
- 29 June 2009
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Journal of Medical Screening
- Vol. 16 (2), 60-66
- https://doi.org/10.1258/jms.2009.008058
Abstract
To determine the proportion of emergency department (ED) patients who have been tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and assess if patient history of HIV testing varies according to patient demographic characteristics. From July 2005–July 2006, a random sample of 18–55-year-old English-speaking patients being treated for sub-critical injury or illness at a northeastern US ED were interviewed on their history of HIV testing. Logistic regression models were created to compare patients by their history of being tested for HIV according to their demography. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. Of 2107 patients surveyed who were not known to be HIV-infected, the median age was 32 years; 54% were male, 71% were white, and 45% were single/never married; 49% had private health-care insurance and 45% had never been tested for HIV. Of the 946 never previously tested for HIV, 56.1% did not consider themselves at risk for HIV In multivariable logistic regression analyses, those less likely to have been HIV tested were male (OR: 1.32 [1.37–2.73]), white (OR: 1.93 [1.37–2.73]), married (OR: 1.53 [1.12–2.08]), and had private health-care insurance (OR: 2.10 [1.69–2.61]). There was a U-shaped relationship between age and history of being tested for HIV; younger and older patients were less likely to have been tested. History of HIV testing and years of formal education were not related. Almost half of ED patients surveyed had never been tested for HIV. Certain demographic groups are being missed though HIV diagnostic testing and screening programmes in other settings. These groups could potentially be reached through universal screening.This publication has 24 references indexed in Scilit:
- Comparison of patient comprehension of rapid HIV pre-test fundamentals by information delivery format in an emergency department settingBMC Public Health, 2007
- Reasons for Using the Emergency Department: Results of the EMPATH StudyAcademic Emergency Medicine, 2005
- Reasons for Using the Emergency Department: Results of the EMPATH StudyAcademic Emergency Medicine, 2005
- Emergency Department HIV Testing and Counseling: An Ongoing Experience in a Low-Prevalence AreaAnnals of Emergency Medicine, 2005
- Gender differences in HIV risk behaviors in an adult emergency department in New York CityJournal of Urban Health, 1999
- Factors Associated With Unrecognized HIV-1 Infection in an Inner-City Emergency DepartmentAnnals of Emergency Medicine, 1996
- Feasibility of an Emergency Department–Based, Risk-Targeted Voluntary HIV Screening ProgramAnnals of Emergency Medicine, 1996
- Prevalence of HIV antibody in a noninner-city university hospital emergency departmentAnnals of Emergency Medicine, 1991
- HIV prevalence in a midwestern emergency departmentAnnals of Emergency Medicine, 1991
- Substantial increase in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection in critically III emergency patients: 1986 and 1987 comparedAnnals of Emergency Medicine, 1989