Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
23:56

Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model

Published on: October 31, 2010

Barriers to routine HIV testing among Massachusetts community health center personnel

Matthew J Mimiaga1, Carey V Johnson, Sari L Reisner

  • 1Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, USA. mmimiaga@fenwayhealth.org

Public Health Reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974)
|September 3, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Routine HIV testing is not consistently implemented in Massachusetts community health centers. Key barriers include provider time constraints and counseling needs, while on-site testing by nonmedical staff facilitates adoption.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Infectious Disease Prevention
  • Healthcare Policy

Background:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommend routine HIV testing.
  • Community Health Centers (CHCs) play a vital role in public health service delivery.
  • Understanding the adoption of routine HIV testing in CHCs is crucial for disease control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the influence of CDC recommendations on routine HIV testing in Massachusetts CHCs.
  • To identify barriers and facilitators impacting the implementation of routine HIV testing.
  • To compare testing practices between CHCs receiving Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program funding and those that do not.

Main Methods:

  • A survey was administered to 137 personnel across 31 Massachusetts CHCs.
  • Participants included senior administrators, medical directors, and medical providers.
  • CHCs were categorized based on their receipt of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program funding.

Main Results:

  • Only 53% of administrators and 33% of medical staff reported implementing routine HIV testing.
  • Awareness of CDC recommendations was higher in Ryan White-funded CHCs (60% vs. 27%).
  • Major barriers included provider time (68%), counseling time (65%), and informed consent time (52%).
  • On-site HIV testing by nonmedical staff significantly increased implementation (OR=9.84), while informed consent time decreased it (OR=0.21).

Conclusions:

  • Routine HIV testing is not uniformly adopted across Massachusetts CHCs.
  • Addressing personnel time constraints and staff availability is essential for increasing implementation.
  • Facilitating on-site testing and streamlining consent processes may improve uptake.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Barriers to Effective Communication II01:21

Barriers to Effective Communication II

The barriers to effective communication also include cultural barriers, semantic barriers, gender barriers, and time constraints.
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Standard Precaution01:26

Standard Precaution

Standard precautions are the minimum infection control safeguards used while caring for all patients, irrespective of their disease condition. They help prevent the spread of common infectious microorganisms to healthcare workers, patients, and visitors in all healthcare settings.
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Preventive Healthcare Services01:30

Preventive Healthcare Services

Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Healthcare Agencies II01:17

Healthcare Agencies II

There are various healthcare agencies in the United States—some of which are managed by religious institutions and others by different government branches.
Parish nursing is a growing specialty nursing profession that focuses on holistic healthcare, health promotion, and illness prevention. It blends professional nursing practice with a health ministry, focusing on health and healing within the context of a Christian community. Parish nurses serve as health educators, referral sources, and lay...