Examination of Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Ending the HIV Epidemic Priority Counties of the United States, 2005-2019.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has been increasing in the United States, and this trend has continued alongside expanding/changing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention strategies, moving from reliance solely on behavioral interventions like condoms to biomedical methods like oral and injectable antiretroviral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). In 2019, the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative was released to prioritize resource allocation to the 50 jurisdictions in the United States with the highest HIV incidence, providing an opportunity to monitor STI incidence in a national group of discrete, geographic units and identify trends and differences across jurisdictions. OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN: Using existing data from the US CDC and Census Bureau, a retrospective analysis was conducted to examine the incidence of STIs in 49 of the 50 EHE priority counties between 2005 and 2019. This timeframe was divided into 2 periods representing a before and after entry into the biomedical era of HIV prevention: P1 (2005-2011) and P2 (2012-2019). KEY RESULTS: A total of 49 EHE counties were included in this analysis, representing 27.4% of the total US population. Entry into the biomedical HIV prevention era was associated with an increase in STI incidence in 28 EHE counties and a decrease in 14 EHE counties. The greatest percent increase in total STI incidence was in the District of Columbia (+12.1%; incidence rate ratio = 1.121 [1.115, 1.127]; P < 0.001) and the greatest percent decrease was identified in Orleans Parish, LA (-8.7%; incidence rate ratio = 0.913 [0.908, 0.919]; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Rising STI rates in the biomedical era of HIV prevention represent missed opportunities for comprehensive sexual and preventive healthcare. County-level data provide actionable insight for reducing STI incidence. The EHE counties that have experienced decreases in STI incidence while being in the biomedical era may provide models of best practice, which may be scaled in other jurisdictions.

Concurrent Testing for COVID-19 and HIV Infection at 6 High-Volume Emergency Departments in a Priority Jurisdiction for Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in access to routine HIV screening. SETTING: We assess HIV and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing across 6 emergency departments (EDs) in Cook County, Illinois. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the number of SARS-CoV-2 tests, HIV screens, and the proportion of concurrent tests (encounters with both SARS-CoV-2 and HIV testing), correlating with diagnoses of new and acute HIV infection. RESULTS: Five sites reported data from March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021, and 1 site from September 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021. A total of 1,13,645 SARS-CoV-2 and 36,094 HIV tests were performed; 17,469 of these were concurrent tests. There were 102 new HIV diagnoses, including 25 acute infections. Concurrent testing proportions ranged from 6.7% to 37% across sites (P < 0.001). HIV testing volume correlated with the number of new diagnoses (r = 0.66, P < 0.01). HIV testing with symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 testing was strongly correlated with diagnosis of acute infections (r = 0.87, P < 0.001); this was not statistically significant when controlling for HIV testing volumes (r = 0.59, P = 0.056). Acute patients were more likely to undergo concurrent testing (21/25) versus other new diagnoses (29/77; odds ratio = 8.69, 95% CI: 2.7 to 27.8, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating HIV screening into SARS-CoV-2 testing in the ED can help maintain HIV screening volumes. Although all patients presenting to the ED should be offered opt-out HIV screening, testing individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 or other viral illness affords the opportunity to diagnose symptomatic acute and early HIV infection, rapidly link to care, and initiate treatment.

Examining the Correlation Between PrEP Use and Black:White Disparities in HIV Incidence in the Ending the HIV Epidemic Priority Jurisdictions.

INTRODUCTION: HIV incidence remains high in the U.S. as do disparities in new HIV diagnosis between White and Black populations and access to preventive therapies like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The federal Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative was developed to prioritize resources to 50 jurisdictions with high HIV incidence. METHODS: We conducted secondary analyses of data (2013-2019) from the CDC, Census Bureau, and AIDSVu to evaluate the correlation between PrEP use, HIV incidence, and HIV incidence disparities. We compared the PrEP-to-need ratio (PnR) with the ratio of Black and White HIV incidence rates in 46 EHE counties. Subsequent analyses were performed for the seven states that contained multiple EHE counties. RESULTS: These 46 counties represented 25.9% of the U.S. population in 2019. HIV incidence ranged from 10.5 in Sacramento County, CA, to 59.6 in Fulton County, GA (per 100,000). HIV incidence disparity ranged from 1.5 in Orleans Parish, LA, to 12.1 in Montgomery County, MD. PnR ranged from 26.8 in New York County, NY, to 1.46 in Shelby County, TN. Change in HIV incidence disparities and percent change in PnR were not significantly correlated (ρ = 0.06, p = 0.69). Change in overall HIV incidence was significantly correlated with increase in PnR (ρ = -0.42, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: PrEP has the potential to significantly decrease HIV incidence; however, this benefit has not been conferred equally. Within EHE priority counties, we found significant HIV incidence disparities between White and Black populations. PrEP has decreased overall HIV incidence, but does not appear to have decreased HIV incidence disparity.

Supporting Retention in HIV Care: Comparing In-Person and Telehealth Visits in a Chicago-Based Infectious Disease Clinic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created increased need for telehealth appointments. To assess differences in appointment adherence for telehealth compared to in-person HIV medical care visits, we conducted a cross-sectional study of patients receiving HIV care in a safety-net hospital-based outpatient infectious disease clinic in a large urban area (Chicago, IL). The sample (N = 347) was predominantly Black (n = 251) and male (62.5%, n = 217); with a mean age of 44.2 years. Appointment attendance was higher for telehealth (78.9%) compared to in-person (61.9%) appointments. Compared to patients without drug use, those with drug use had 19.4 percentage point lower in-person appointment attendance. Compared to those with stable housing, those in unstable housing arrangements had 15.0 percentage point lower in-person appointment attendance. Telehealth as a modality will likely have some staying power as it offers patients newfound flexibility, but barriers to telehealth need to be assessed and addressed.

HIV mortality across the 30 largest U.S. cities: assessing overall trends and racial inequities.

BACKGROUND: Despite decreases in overall HIV mortality in the U.S., large racial inequities persist. Most previous analyses of HIV mortality and mortality inequities have utilized national- or state-level data. METHODS: Using vital statistics mortality data and American Community Survey population estimates, we calculated HIV mortality rates and Black:White HIV mortality rate ratios (RR) for the 30 most populous U.S. cities at two time points, 2010-2014 (T1) and 2015-2019 (T2). RESULTS: Almost all cities (28) had HIV mortality rates higher than the national rate at both time points. At T2, HIV mortality rates ranged from 0.8 per 100,000 (San Jose, CA) to 15.2 per 100,000 (Baltimore, MD). Across cities, Black people were approximately 2-8 times more likely to die from HIV compared to White people at both time points. Over the decade, these racial disparities decreased at the national level (T1: RR = 11.0, T2: RR = 9.8), and in one city (Charlotte, NC). DISCUSSION: We identified large geographic and racial inequities in HIV mortality in U.S. urban areas. These city-specific data may motivate change in cities and can help guide city leaders and other health advocates as they implement, test, and support policies and programming to decrease HIV mortality.

Outcomes of a Pharmacist-Led Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Program in an Urban Safety-Net Health System, Chicago, 2017-2019.

OBJECTIVE: A recommendation in March 2020 to expand hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening to all adults in the United States will likely increase the need for HCV treatment programs and guidance on how to provide this service for diverse populations. We evaluated a pharmacist-led HCV treatment program within a routine screening program in an urban safety-net health system in Chicago, Illinois. METHODS: We collected data on all patient treatment applications submitted from January 1, 2017, through June 30, 2019, and assessed outcomes of and patient retention in the treatment cascade. RESULTS: During the study period, 203 HCV treatment applications were submitted for 187 patients (>1 application could be submitted per patient): 49% (n = 91) were aged 55-64, 62% (n = 116) were male, 67% (n = 125) were Black, and 15% (n = 28) were Hispanic. Of the 203 HCV treatment applications, 87% (n = 176) of patients were approved for treatment, 91% (n = 161) of whom completed treatment. Of the 161 patients who completed treatment, 81% (n = 131) attended their sustained virologic response (SVR) follow-up visit, 98% (n = 129) of whom reached SVR. The largest drop in the treatment cascade was the 19% decline from receipt of treatment to SVR follow-up visit. CONCLUSION: The pharmacist-led model for HCV treatment was effective in navigating patients through the treatment cascade and achieving SVR. Widespread implementation of pharmacist-led HCV treatment models may help to hasten progress toward 2030 HCV elimination goals.

COVID-19 health inequities and association with mechanical ventilation and prolonged length of stay at an urban safety-net health system in Chicago.

Millions of Americans have been infected with COVID-19 and communities of color have been disproportionately burdened. We investigated the relationship between demographic characteristics and COVID-19 positivity, and comorbidities and severe COVID-19 illness (use of mechanical ventilation and length of stay) within a racial/ethnic minority population. Patients tested for COVID-19 between March 2020 and January 2021 (N = 14171) were 49.9% (n = 7072) female; 50.1% (n = 7104) non-Hispanic Black; 33.2% (n = 4698) Hispanic; and 23.6% (n = 3348) aged 65+. Overall COVID-19 positivity was 16.1% (n = 2286). Compared to females, males were 1.1 times more likely to test positive (p = 0.014). Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic persons were 1.4 (p = 0.003) and 2.4 (p<0.001) times more likely, respectively, to test positive. Compared to persons ages 18-24, the odds of testing positive were statistically significantly higher for every age group except 25-34, and those aged 65+ were 2.8 times more likely to test positive (p<0.001). Adjusted for race, sex, and age, COVID-positive patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were 1.9 times more likely to require a ventilator compared to those without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p = 0.001). Length of stay was not statistically significantly associated with any of the comorbidity variables. Our findings emphasize the importance of documenting COVID-19 disparities in marginalized populations.

Routine Screening and Linkage to Care for Hepatitis C Virus in an Urban Safety-Net Health System, 2017-2019.

OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major threat to public health in the United States. We describe and evaluate an HCV screening and linkage-to-care program, including emergency department, inpatient, and outpatient settings, in an urban safety-net health system in Chicago. METHODS: Sinai Health System implemented a universal HCV screening program in September 2016 that offered patient navigation services (ie, linkage to care) to patients with a positive result for HCV on an RNA test. We collected data from February 1, 2017, through January 31, 2019, on patient demographic characteristics, risk factors, and various outcomes (eg, number of patients screened, test results, proportions of new diagnoses, number of patients eligible for patient navigation services, and proportion of patients who attended their first medical appointment). We also examined outcomes by patients' knowledge of infection. RESULTS: Of 21 018 people screened for HCV, 6% (1318/21 018) had positive test results for HCV antibody, 68% (878/1293) of whom had positive HCV RNA test results. Of these 878 patients, 68% were born during 1945-1965, 68% were male, 65% were Black, 19% were Latino, 55% were newly diagnosed, and 64% were eligible for patient navigation services. Risk factors included past or current drug use (53%), unemployment (30%), and ever incarcerated (21%). Of 562 patients eligible for navigation services, 281 (50%) were navigated to imaging services, and 203 (72%) patients who completed imaging attended their first medical appointment. CONCLUSION: Patient navigation played a critical role in linkage success, but securing stable, long-term financial support for patient navigators is a challenge.

Implementing Rapid Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy for Acute HIV Infection Within a Routine Testing and Linkage to Care Program in Chicago.

Growing evidence suggests that rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV improves care continuum outcomes. We evaluated process and clinical outcomes for rapid initiation in acute HIV infection within a multisite health care-based HIV testing and linkage to care program in Chicago. Through retrospective analysis of HIV testing data (2016-2017), we assessed linkage to care, initiation of antiretroviral therapy, and viral suppression. Of 334 new HIV diagnoses, 33 (9.9%) individuals had acute HIV infection. Median time to linkage was 11 (interquartile range [IQR]: 5-19.5) days, with 15 days (IQR 5-27) to initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Clients achieved viral suppression at a median of 131 (IQR: 54-188) days. Of all, 69.7% were retained in care, all of whom were virally suppressed. Sites required few additional resources to incorporate rapid initiation into existing processes. Integration of rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy into existing HIV screening programs is a promising strategy for scaling up this important intervention.

Gender Differences in HIV Testing, Diagnosis, and Linkage to Care in Healthcare Settings: Identifying African American Women with HIV in Chicago.

Women account for 25% of all people living with HIV and 19% of new diagnoses in the United States. African American (AA) women are disproportionately affected. Yet, differences in the care continuum entry are not well understood between patient populations and healthcare sites. We aim to examine gender differences in diagnosis and linkage to care (LTC) in the Expanded HIV Testing and Linkage to Care (X-TLC) program within healthcare settings. Data were collected from 14 sites on the South and West sides of Chicago. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the differences in HIV diagnoses and LTC by gender and HIV status. From 2011 to 2016, X-TLC performed 281,017 HIV tests; 63.7% of those tested were women. Overall HIV seroprevalence was 0.57%, and nearly one third (29.4%) of HIV-positive patients identified were cisgender women. Of newly diagnosed HIV-positive women, 89% were AA. 58.5% of new diagnoses in women were made at acute care hospitals, with the remainder at community health centers. Women who were newly diagnosed had a higher baseline CD4 count at diagnosis compared with men. Overall, women had lower odds of LTC compared with men (adjusted odds ratio = 0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.44-0.78) when controlling for patient demographics and newly versus previously diagnosed HIV status. Thus, interventions that focus on optimizing entry into the care continuum for AA women need to be explored.

Primary pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma in a newly diagnosed cisgender heterosexual HIV positive patient presenting before cutaneous manifestations.

AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a vascular malignancy that usually presents with mucocutaneous lesions. Bronchopulmonary involvement as an initial manifestation is a rare phenomenon. This case describes a young male presenting with pulmonary symptoms mimicking HIV-related opportunistic infection who was eventually diagnosed with primary pulmonary KS. The aim of this report is to emphasize that KS should be recognized as a differential diagnosis in AIDS patients presenting with pulmonary symptoms. Making the diagnosis may be a difficult task, at times, requiring invasive procedures such as lung biopsy.

HIV testing prevalence in selected Chicago community areas: the importance of local-level data.

While data on HIV testing prevalence is readily available at the national, state, and more rarely at the city level, few data are available on HIV testing at the community level, where public health initiatives may be most effectively implemented. Community-level data are necessary given that city, state, and national estimates mask variation occurring at the community level in large urban areas. This type of data is crucial for informing education efforts both within the community and among providers. The current study uses the Sinai Community Health Survey 2.0, a cross-sectional, population-based probability survey of adults in selected Chicago communities to determine the prevalence of ever tested for HIV by community area, sex, race/ethnicity, and age (n = 1496). Across the surveyed community areas, ever tested prevalence ranged from a low of 35% in Norwood Park (predominantly White) to a high of 85% in North Lawndale (predominantly Black). Ever tested differences by community area were statistically significant (Rao Scott chi-square p = 0.003). Across the sampled communities, 65% of females, 55% of males, 80% of Blacks, 62% of Puerto Ricans, 53% of Mexicans, and 44% of Whites had ever been tested for HIV (Rao Scott chi-square p < 0.01). Ever tested prevalence was highest in the 35-44 age group (72%) and lowest in the 65+ age group (33%) (Rao Scott chi-square p = 0.001). Local-level HIV screening data are integral to understanding where (geographically and among which sub-populations) additional services are needed and may also help in directing and securing funding for such services. The evidence suggests that success in identifying and linking HIV positive individuals to care is most likely to be found through a combination of healthcare- and non-healthcare-based initiatives. Ideally, efforts will be coordinated to encompass both of these settings.

Acute HIV Discovered During Routine HIV Screening With HIV Antigen-Antibody Combination Tests in 9 US Emergency Departments.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Newer combination HIV antigen-antibody tests allow detection of HIV sooner after infection than previous antibody-only immunoassays because, in addition to HIV-1 and -2 antibodies, they detect the HIV-1 p24 antigen, which appears before antibodies develop. We determine the yield of screening with HIV antigen-antibody tests and clinical presentations for new diagnoses of acute and established HIV infection across US emergency departments (EDs). METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 9 EDs in 6 cities with HIV screening programs that integrated laboratory-based antigen-antibody tests between November 1, 2012, and December 31, 2015. Unique patients with newly diagnosed HIV infection were identified and classified as having either acute HIV infection or established HIV infection. Acute HIV infection was defined as a repeatedly reactive antigen-antibody test result, a negative HIV-1/HIV-2 antibody differentiation assay, or Western blot result, but detectable HIV ribonucleic acid (RNA); established HIV infection was defined as a repeatedly reactive antigen-antibody test result and a positive HIV-1/HIV-2 antibody differentiation assay or Western blot result. The primary outcomes were the number of new HIV diagnoses and proportion of patients with laboratory-defined acute HIV infection. Secondary outcomes compared reason for visit and the clinical presentation of acute HIV infection. RESULTS: In total, 214,524 patients were screened for HIV and 839 (0.4%) received a new diagnosis, of which 122 (14.5%) were acute HIV infection and 717 (85.5%) were established HIV infection. Compared with patients with established HIV infection, those with acute HIV infection were younger, had higher RNA and CD4 counts, and were more likely to have viral syndrome (41.8% versus 6.5%) or fever (14.3% versus 3.4%) as their reason for visit. Most patients with acute HIV infection displayed symptoms attributable to acute infection (median symptom count 5 [interquartile range 3 to 6]), with fever often accompanied by greater than or equal to 3 other symptoms (60.7%). CONCLUSION: ED screening using antigen-antibody tests identifies previously undiagnosed HIV infection at proportions that exceed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's screening threshold, with the added yield of identifying acute HIV infection in approximately 15% of patients with a new diagnosis. Patients with acute HIV infection often seek ED care for symptoms related to seroconversion.

Outcomes of Preexposure Prophylaxis Referrals From Public STI Clinics and Implications for the Preexposure Prophylaxis Continuum.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake remains low in high-risk populations. Sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics reach PrEP-eligible persons and may be ideal settings to model PrEP implementation. METHODS: Consenting PrEP-eligible patients identified at Chicago Department of Public Health STI Clinics were actively referred to PrEP partner sites between June 1, 2015, and May 31, 2016. Outcomes included successful contact by a partner site, linkage to a partner site, and receipt of a PrEP prescription. Bivariable and time to event analyses were conducted to determine significant associations of outcomes. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-seven patients were referred; 126 (92%) were men who have sex with men, and mean age was 29 years. Ninety-eight (72%) were contacted by a PrEP partner, 43 (31%) were linked, and 40 (29%) received a prescription. Individuals aged 25 years and older were more likely to link (odds ratio, 3.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-7.41) and receive a PrEP prescription (odds ratio, 2.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-6.45) compared with individuals 24 years and younger. The average time between each step was greater for those 24 years and younger compared with those aged 25 years and older for all steps. Time to event analyses revealed that those aged 25 years and older were significantly more likely to receive a prescription compared to those aged 24 years and younger (hazard ratio, 3.62; 95% risk limits, 1.47-8.92). CONCLUSIONS: Preexposure prophylaxis active referrals from STI clinics to partner sites are feasible, though drop out was prominent in the initial steps of the continuum. Youth were less likely to link or receive prescriptions, indicating the need for tailored interventions for this vulnerable population.

Assessing Implicit Cognition Among Patients Lost to Follow-up for HIV Care: A Preliminary Study.

OBJECTIVE: While a growing body of research indicates that implicit cognitive processes play an important role in a range of health behaviors, the assessment of these impulsive, associative mental processes among patients living with HIV has received little attention. This preliminary study explored how multidimensional scaling (MDS) could be used to assess implicit cognitive processes among patients lost to follow-up for HIV care and develop interventions to improve their engagement. METHOD: The sample consisted of 33 patients who were identified as lost to follow up for HIV care at two urban hospitals. Participants were randomly assigned to either the MDS assessment program or control group. All participants underwent measures designed to gauge behavioral change intentions and treatment motivation. Assessment group participants were interviewed to determine their reactions to the assessment program. RESULTS: The MDS assessment program identified cognitive processes and their relationship to treatment-related behaviors among assessment group participants. Assessment group participants reported significantly greater behavior change intentions than those in the control group (p =.02; Cohen's d = 0.84). CONCLUSION: MDS shows promise as a tool to identify implicit cognitive processes related to treatment-related behaviors. Assessments based on MDS could serve as the basis for patient-centered clinical interventions designed to improve treatment adherence and HIV care engagement in general.

Implementing Routine HIV Screening in Three Chicago Hospitals: Lessons Learned.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes routine HIV screening implementation and outcomes in three hospitals in Chicago, Illinois. METHODS: Retrospective data from three hospitals were examined, and routine testing procedures, testing volume, reactive test results, and linkage-to-care outcomes were documented. RESULTS: From January 2012 through March 2014, 40,788 HIV tests were administered at the three hospitals: 18,603 (46%) in the emergency department (ED), 7,546 (19%) in the inpatient departments, and 14,639 (36%) in outpatient clinics. The screened patients varied from 1% to 22% of the total eligible patient population across hospitals. A total of 297 patients tested positive for HIV for a seropositivity rate of 0.7%; 129 (43%) were newly diagnosed and 168 (57%) were previously diagnosed, with 64% of those previously diagnosed out of care at the time of screening. The inpatient areas had the highest seropositivity rate (0.6%). The percentage of newly diagnosed patients overall who were linked to care was 77%. Of newly diagnosed patients, 51% had ≥ 1 missed opportunity for testing (with a mean of 3.8 visits since 2006), and 30% of patients with missed opportunities were late testers (baseline CD4+ counts <200 cells per cubic millimeter). CONCLUSION: Routine screening is an essential tool for identifying new infections and patients with known infection who are out of care. Hospitals need to provide HIV screening in inpatient and outpatient settings--not just EDs--to decrease missed opportunities. Routine screening success will be driven by how notification and testing are incorporated into the normal medical flow, the level of leadership buy-in, the ability to conduct quality assurance, and local testing laws.

Perceptions of audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) among women in an HIV-positive prevention program.

BACKGROUND: Audio Computer-Assisted Self Interviewing (ACASI) has improved the reliability and accuracy of self-reported HIV health and risk behavior data, yet few studies account for how participants experience the data collection process. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This exploratory qualitative analysis aimed to better understand the experience and implications of using ACASI among HIV-positive women participating in sexual risk reduction interventions in Chicago (n = 12) and Philadelphia (n = 18). Strategies of Grounded Theory were used to explore participants' ACASI experiences. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Key themes we identified included themes that could be attributed to the ACASI and other methods of data collection (e.g., paper-based self-administered questionnaire or face-to-face interviews). The key themes were usability; privacy and honesty; socially desirable responses and avoiding judgment; and unintentional discomfort resulting from recalling risky behavior using the ACASI. Despite both positive and negative findings about the ACASI experience, we conclude that ACASI is in general an appropriate method for collecting sensitive data about HIV/AIDS risk behaviors among HIV-positive women because it seemed to ensure privacy in the study population allowing for more honest responses, minimize socially desirable responses, and help participants avoid actual or perceived judgment.

Nomenclature and definitions for emergency department human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing: report from the 2007 conference of the National Emergency Department HIV Testing Consortium.

Early diagnosis of persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through diagnostic testing and screening is a critical priority for individual and public health. Emergency departments (EDs) have an important role in this effort. As EDs gain experience in HIV testing, it is increasingly apparent that implementing testing is conceptually and operationally complex. A wide variety of HIV testing practice and research models have emerged, each reflecting adaptations to site-specific factors and the needs of local populations. The diversity and complexity inherent in nascent ED HIV testing practice and research are associated with the risk that findings will not be described according to a common lexicon. This article presents a comprehensive set of terms and definitions that can be used to describe ED-based HIV testing programs, developed by consensus opinion from the inaugural meeting of the National ED HIV Testing Consortium. These definitions are designed to facilitate discussion, increase comparability of future reports, and potentially accelerate wider implementation of ED HIV testing.

The Treatment Advocacy Program--Sinai: a peer-based HIV prevention intervention for working with African American HIV-infected persons.

As HIV/AIDS continues to disproportionately affect African American communities, there is a growing need for empirically based, culturally appropriate, tailored interventions for this clientele. As part of a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)/Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) initiative to increase prevention amongst those living with HIV, we implemented the Treatment Advocacy Program Intervention at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago, IL, USA. The main goal of the intervention was to help patients increase their medication adherence and sexual safety skills. This paper describes the rationale for implementing this peer-based HIV-prevention intervention, discusses how the intervention was tailored to work within our low socio-economic status, urban patient population, and reviews the training and quality assurance activities needed to integrate the intervention into our primary care clinic. We review the intervention content in detail, including the structure of the multiple, one-on-one education sessions, and the core topics covered (medication adherence and sexual safety). Finally, we discuss the challenges in implementing this program, many of which arise from the chaotic social situations that our patients experience.

Implementing an HIV and sexually transmitted disease screening program in an emergency department.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We assess the feasibility, effectiveness, and cost of routinely recommended HIV/sexually transmitted disease screening in an urban emergency department (ED). METHODS: From April 2003 to August 2004, patients aged 15 to 54 years were offered rapid HIV testing, and those aged 15 to 25 years were also offered gonorrhea and chlamydia testing (nucleic acid amplification), Monday through Friday, 11 am to 8 pm. Infected patients were referred for treatment and care. Prevalence, treatment rates, and cost were assessed. RESULTS: Among 3,030 patients offered HIV testing, 1,447 (47.8%) accepted, 8 (0.6%) tested positive, and 3 (37.5%) were linked to care. Among 791 patients offered sexually transmitted disease testing, 386 (48.8%) accepted, 320 provided urine (82.9%), 48 (15.0%) tested positive, and 42 (87.5%) were treated for gonorrhea or chlamydia. The program cost was $72,928. Costs per HIV-infected patient identified and linked to care were, respectively, $9,116 and $24,309; cost per sexually transmitted disease-infected patient treated was $1,736. The program cost for HIV/sexually transmitted disease screening was only $14,340 more than if we screened only for HIV. CONCLUSION: Through ED-based HIV/sexually transmitted disease screening, we identified and treated many sexually transmitted disease-infected patients but identified few HIV-infected patients and linked even fewer to care. However, sexually transmitted disease screening can be added to HIV screening at a reasonable cost.