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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
Pilot of non-invasive (oral fluid) testing for HIV within a community setting
Frances Birrell1, Shaun Staunton, Joseph Debattista
1Communicable Diseases Branch, Queensland Health, Herston, Qld, Australia.
Background:
The present study sought to determine the level of undiagnosed HIV infection within a community setting of men who have sex with men (MSM) and identify any associated sexual risk behaviours.
Methods:
A total of 427 MSM were recruited in sex-on-premises venues (SOPV) and gay bars within the inner city of Brisbane. An additional 37 MSM were recruited in a smaller, regional centre (Toowoomba). Oral fluid testing for HIV antibodies was undertaken using the Orasure collection system and assay. Each participant was invited to complete a brief behaviour questionnaire and submit an oral fluid specimen. Confirmed serology results were linked to reported sexual behaviours, testing patterns and HIV status.
Results:
Of the 464 men surveyed, 33 identified as HIV-positive, and all of these were reactive by the Orasure assay. A further eight people who identified as negative or unknown serostatus, had confirmed Orasure reactive results, resulting in 1.9% of the 'non-HIV positive' MSM sample unaware of their positive HIV status. Therefore, 19.5% of the total confirmed HIV-positive individuals were not aware of their true serostatus.
Conclusions:
A significant minority of HIV-positive MSM are currently unaware of their positive serostatus. However, an analysis of their risk behaviour does not seem to indicate any significant difference to those who are HIV-negative. Interestingly, 86% of those who were unaware they were HIV-positive identified that they had been tested in the previous 6 months and all of them claimed to have been tested in the previous 2 years.
