Abstract

PIP: After the licensure of an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) test to detect antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV) by the US Food and Drug Administration in March 1985, federal funds were made available for alternate testing sites so that testing could be obtained free of charge outside of blood banks. The alternate sites were needed both to protect the nation's blood supply and to ensure that individuals seeking testing would receive adequate pretest counseling, post-test counseling, and referral for medical evaluation if indicated. By the end of 1985, 874 testing sites had been established in 53 of the 55 project areas in which there were cooperative agreements between Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local health departments. This total included 275 sites in private physicians' offices in New York City. Overall, 79,100 persons had been tested. Pretest counseling had been provided to 93,900 persons and post-test counseling to 55,500 persons. 17.3% of the individuals tested at these sites had repeatedly reactive ELISA tests. No relationship was noted between the number of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases in a particular project area and the number of tests performed at alternative sites. The number of tests performed in each area seemed to be related to accessibility of services, perceptions of the risks and benefits of testing, and awareness of the existence of services by those at risk. It is hoped that this network of alternate testing sites will facilitate extension of testing services to selected populations at increased risk for HTLV-III/LAV infection.