Scope of rapid HIV testing in urban U.S. hospitals

Abstract

Objective: The present study examined the scope of rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in urban U.S. hospitals.

Methods: In a multistage national probability sample, 12 primary metropolitan statistical areas (three per region) were sampled randomly, with weights proportionate to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) populations. All 671 eligible hospitals within areas were selected. Laboratory staff from 584 hospitals (87%) were interviewed by telephone in 2005.

Results: About 52% reported rapid HIV test availability (50% in occupational health, 29% in labor and delivery, and 13% in emergency department/urgent care), and 86% of hospitals offering rapid tests processed them in the laboratory. In multivariate models, rapid test availability was more likely in hospitals serving more patients, and located in high-poverty, high-AIDS prevalence areas, and in the South or Midwest vs. West. It was less likely in hospitals serving areas with large percentages of people who were black/African American or Hispanic/Latino (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Rapid HIV testing is increasing across urban U.S. hospitals, primarily for occupational exposure and in hospitals with greater resources and need. To achieve routine HIV screening, policies should encourage greater breadth of diffusion of rapid testing at the point of care, especially in smaller facilities, the West, and communities with racial/ethnic diversity.

Figure

Cumulative percentage of U.S. hospitals offering rapid HIV tests from 2002 to 2006 (n=584) Note: Data points are: 13.7% (late 2002), 35.8% (2003), 44.3% (2004), 59.9% (2005), and 62.2% (early 2006). HIV = human immunodeficiency virus