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Using peer recruitment and OraSure to increase HIV testing
Sue Vargo1, Gail Agronick, Lydia O'Donnell
1Education Development Center, Inc, Newton, MA 02458, USA. svargo@edc.org
American Journal of Public Health
|January 10, 2004
Summary
Community HIV testing increased significantly using social networks and oral tests. This approach effectively reached individuals with higher risk factors, demonstrating a promising strategy for public health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Social Science
Background:
- HIV testing rates can be low in minority communities.
- Traditional recruitment methods may not effectively reach at-risk populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a community-based pilot study to increase HIV testing.
- To assess the effectiveness of social network recruitment and noninvasive testing.
Main Methods:
- A community-based pilot study was conducted over 11 months.
- Social network recruitment and oral HIV testing were employed.
- A comparison site was used to monitor trends.
Main Results:
- HIV testing increased by 71.7% at the intervention site.
- Proportions of individuals with risk factors (heterosexual sex, multiple partners) increased by 24.2% and 19.5%.
- Testing remained stable at the comparison site, with decreased reporting of risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Social network recruitment combined with oral HIV testing shows promise for increasing testing uptake.
- This strategy effectively targets populations with specific risk factors.
- Community-based approaches are vital for improving HIV testing reach.