Combining rapid HIV testing and a brief alcohol intervention in young unhealthy drinkers in the emergency department: a pilot study

Abstract

Background: We sought to determine the feasibility and impact of brief alcohol/ sexual risk reduction counseling with rapid HIV testing in the emergency department (ED).

Methods: We recruited 18-40 year olds with unhealthy alcohol use, sexual risk behaviors, and negative/unknown HIV status and assessed for differences in their alcohol consumption and sexual risk behaviors at baseline versus 2 months.

Results: Participants (n = 85) were 61% male, mean age 26 years old, 59% white, 92% unmarried, 57% college educated, 45% without a regular doctor, and 80% with an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score ≥8. All rapid HIV tests were negative. Among the 70 (82%) with follow-up, alcohol consumption decreased with fewer average weekly drinks (23.6 vs. 9.8, p = .003) and binge drinking episodes (2.0 vs. .9, p = .012). Post-intervention, sexual risk decreased, including increased condom use (23% vs. 46%, p = .007). Women had a greater decrease in alcohol use prior to sex compared with men (p = .021 for interaction).

Conclusions: Alcohol/sexual risk reduction counseling with HIV testing in the ED is feasible and potentially effective for reducing alcohol use and sexual risk behaviors among young unhealthy drinkers.

Scientific significance: Future randomized controlled trials are warranted to assess efficacy of this intervention, which would provide young at-risk populations with important preventive services, which they may not have access to otherwise.