HIV rapid testing may enhance the effectiveness of a mobile HIV/sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening clinic in at-risk populations who normally do not seek care. Our goal was to determine the usability and post-test counseling rates of rapid HIV testing services for clients tested on a mobile clinic. HIV Oraquick rapid HIV-1 testing (OraSure Technologies, Inc., Bethlehem, PA) (blood) was offered to clients seeking HIV/STI counseling and testing services from the street at predetermined locations in areas of high STD morbidity, drug use, and commercial sex work. Rapid test results were available on the same day at the van within 10 minutes. Disease intervention specialists (DIS) attempted to locate and counsel positive clients who did not stay for results. By comparison, when offered at the same time, 64.5% of clients preferred Oraquick to traditional serologic testing. The post-test counseling rate for clients tested for Oraquick was 89% for infected and 93% for uninfected. By comparison, 11% of infected clients and 40% of uninfected clients tested for traditional test were post-test counseled. Clients who tested for the traditional enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test were told to return to the van in 14 days for results and post-test counseling. In the adjusted model, we also found statistically significant differences comparing clients who choose Oraquick to traditional serologic tests. These data suggest that rapid HIV testing services may enhance the effectiveness of mobile STD/HIV clinics.

The objective of the study was to determine the post-test counselling (PTC) rates for HIV-infected and uninfected individuals receiving HIV counselling and testing on a mobile STD/HIV screening clinic and to determine whether individuals at highest risk for transmitting their infection were less likely to receive PTC than those at lower risk for transmitting. Clients presenting for HIV counselling and testing were asked about their demographic characteristics, clinical history, personal risk behaviours, and partner risk factors and told to return after 14 days for results. Disease intervention specialists (DIS) attempted to locate and counsel positive clients. The PTC rate among infected and uninfected clients was 66% and 46%, respectively. There were significant differences in demographics and risk factors for those who were post-test counselled versus those who were not. Among HIV-uninfected clients, there was a positive association between PTC and drug treatment in the past three months and having engaged in sex work within the last three months. Being female was negatively associated with PTC. Among HIV-infected clients, there was a positive association between PTC and current enrollment in drug treatment. These data suggest that mobile STD/HIV screening clinics may be limited in their effectiveness by low rates of PTC.

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