Computer-based video to increase HIV testing among emergency department patients who decline

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend routine HIV screening in clinical settings, including emergency departments (EDs), because earlier diagnosis enables treatment before symptoms develop and delivery of interventions to reduce continued transmission. However, patients frequently decline testing. This study delivered a 16-min video-based intervention to 160 patients who declined HIV tests in a high volume, urban ED. One third of participants (n = 53) accepted an HIV test post-intervention. Interviews with a subset of participants (n = 40) show that before the video, many were unaware HIV testing could be conducted without drawing blood, or that results could be delivered in 20 min.