Youth counseled for HIV testing at school- and hospital-based clinics

The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in adolescents is difficult to assess as few adolescents consent to testing. This prospective study characterized urban youth requesting HIV testing at two types of health settings, inner-city school-based and hospital-based clinics. Data were obtained on 1652 inner-city youths aged 13 to 19 years who consented to individualized HIV counseling and testing from January 1993 to January 1994. Identified risks for HIV included sexual activity, sexually transmitted disease (STD) history, and substance use by self-report during a confidential structured interview. Data were analyzed using chi-squared analysis. Of the 1652 youth who were counseled, 1602 were from hospital-based clinics. A total of 827 (50%) requested HIV testing. Females accounted for the majority of youth who underwent counseling (79%) and requested HIV testing (75%). However, once counseled, males were more likely to be tested. Risk factors differed by gender; females were more likely to report STDs and marijuana use, and males more likely to report alcohol and cocaine use. These results indicate a need to identify developmentally appropriate methods to educate and counsel youth about HIV that will lead to more youth willing to be tested. School-based clinics may provide easier access than traditional health models for confidential HIV services.