Assessing the HIV rapid test in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Trinidad

To evaluate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rapid test as an effective tool in the response to the HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in Trinidad.

The study is comprised of a retrospective analysis of data collected from May 2008 to July 15, 2011 and a prospective arm of those tested during July 18, 2011 - August 30, 2011. During the prospective phase, blood samples were tested using rapid tests manufactured by Inverness Medical Innovation and Trinity Biotech followed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test, irrespective of the results of the rapid test. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect demographic data and risk behaviors. The study was conducted in one randomly selected primary health care facility of the eight that offered same-day HIV testing in Trinidad.

A total of 297 persons participated in the prospective arm of the study and the rapid test was found to have a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 99.6%. Females and those aged 20-29 years were most likely to participate. Over the study period, the number of persons who received rapid tests increased but the prevalence of positive HIV test results decreased from 4.4% in 2008 to 2.1% in 2011. The main reasons for being tested were curiosity (38%), results being obtainable the same day (27%), and confidentiality (13%). Approximately 50% of respondents reported more than one sex partner in the previous year while 14% used condoms regularly.

People need to know their own HIV status and that of their partners to make healthy decisions about sexual behavior. At the health facility studied, 2.6% of people who took the HIV rapid test were HIV positive.