Utilization of HIV point-of-care testing clinics in general practice and genitourinary medicine services in south-east London.

ABSTRACT

We compared the utilization of HIV point-of-care testing (POCT) clinics in a general practice and a genitourinary (GU) medicine service. Retrospective case-note review of patients attending the general practice HIV POCT clinic from February 2005 to July 2007 was undertaken. Those attending the GU medicine service over the same period were used as a comparator group. HIV POCT clinics in general practice when compared with GU medicine services were significantly more likely to be utilized by those of Black ethnicity (Black African 61/370 [16.5%] vs. 107/1231 [8.7%], P < 0.001; Black Caribbean 19/370 [5.1%] vs. 11/1231 [0.9%], P < 0.001 and Black Other 20/370 [5.4%] vs. 26/1231 [2.1%], P = 0.001, respectively). Fewer men who have sex with men attended for HIV POCT in general practice than in GU medicine; 82/238 (34.5%) vs. 337/816 (41.3%), P = 0.058. We have demonstrated that HIV POCT clinics in primary care and GU medicine attract different 'at-risk' groups and provide increased opportunity for testing.