Failure to learn human immunodeficiency virus test results in Los Angeles public sexually transmitted disease clinics

Early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) defection is essential for initiating treatment and partner-notification activities. Sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attendees are at high risk for infection and should be made aware of their HIV status.

To determine the characteristics associated with not receiving an HIV test result in an STD clinic setting.

Confidential HIV testing was offered to 6,705 persons attending four public STD clinics in Los Angeles who submitted blood for syphilis serology and were tested for HIV antibody in an unlinked HIV serosurvey. Human immunodeficiency virus test results and return status were anonymously linked to other risk information.

Only one-third of attendees were tested and given their results. Those testing HIV positive in the anonymous survey and those requesting HIV testing were most likely to receive a test result (i.e., 41% and 49%, respectively). Those solely requesting an STD examination, repeat testers, and African-Americans were least likely to receive a result (i.e., 32%, 30%, and 26%, respectively).

Most STD clinic patients fail to receive an HIV test result. Other strategies, such as rapid HIV testing, are needed to increase participation and receipt of HIV test results in this high-risk population.