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Comparative Study
. 2014 Dec;55(6):765-73.
doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.07.009. Epub 2014 Sep 13.

A comparison of network-based strategies for screening at-risk Hispanic/Latino adolescents and young adults for undiagnosed asymptomatic HIV infection

Cherrie B Boyer  1 , Grisel M Robles-Schrader  2 , Su X Li  3 , Robin L Miller  4 , James Korelitz  3 , Georgine N Price  3 , Carmen M Rivera Torres  5 , Kate S Chutuape  6 , Stephanie J Stines  7 , Diane M Straub  8 , Ligia Peralta  9 , Irma Febo  5 , Lisa Hightow-Weidman  10 , René Gonin  3 , Bill G Kapogiannis  11 , Jonathan M Ellen  6
Affiliations
Comparative Study

A comparison of network-based strategies for screening at-risk Hispanic/Latino adolescents and young adults for undiagnosed asymptomatic HIV infection

Cherrie B Boyer et al. J Adolesc Health. 2014 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: Hispanic/Latino adolescents and young adults are disproportionately impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic; yet little is known about the best strategies to increase HIV testing in this group. Network-based approaches are feasible and acceptable means for screening at-risk adults for HIV infection, but it is unknown whether these approaches are appropriate for at-risk young Hispanics/Latinos. Thus, we compared an alternative venue-based testing (AVT) strategy with a social and sexual network-based interviewing and HIV testing (SSNIT) strategy.

Methods: All participants were Hispanics/Latinos aged 13-24 years with self-reported HIV risk; they were recruited from 11 cities in the United States and Puerto Rico and completed an audio computer-assisted self-interview and underwent HIV screening.

Results: A total of 1,596 participants (94.5% of those approached) were enrolled: 784 (49.1%) through AVT and 812 (50.9%) through SSNIT. HIV infection was identified in three SSNIT (.37%) and four AVT (.51%) participants (p = .7213).

Conclusions: Despite high levels of HIV risk, a low prevalence of HIV infection was identified with no differences by recruitment strategy. We found overwhelming support for the acceptability and feasibility of AVT and SSNIT for engaging and screening at-risk young Hispanics/Latinos. Further research is needed to better understand how to strategically implement such strategies to improve identification of undiagnosed HIV infection.

Keywords: HIV testing/screening; Hispanic/Latino adolescents and young adults; Network-based HIV screening.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

The authors do not have any commercial or other associations that might pose a conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Inclusion Criteria for Alternative Venue-Based Testing, Index Recruiters, and Network Member Participants
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. U.S. Census Bureau. [Assessed January 16, 2014.];Profiles of America Facts for Features: Hispanic Heritage Month 2013: Sept 15-Oct 15, July 30, 2013. Available at: http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_spec....
    1. Kaiser Family Foundation. HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet: Latinos and HIV/AIDS. Mar, 2013.
    1. CDC. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report. 2012 Dec;17(4) Data are estimates and do not include U.S. dependent areas.
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [Assessed January 14, 2014.];HIV Testing Among Adolescents. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/sexualbehaviors/pdf/hivtesting_adolescen....
    1. Health and Human Services. Office of Adolescent Health. March 2013: Health Snapshot – Hispanic Adolescents in the US. 2013 Mar; Available at: http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/news/e-updates/eupdate-mar2013.html#Endnote1.

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