Nessel JT; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. ThPeD5492.

J.T. Nessel, Addiction Research & Treatment Corporation, P.O. Box 266, Triborough Station, New York, New York 10035, United States, Tel.: +1 212 568 74 72, Fax: +1 718 260 94 92, E-mail: jnesselmdsprynet.com

Background: To analyze 641 HIV Antibody tests given on the streets of New York City (NYC), in high prevalence areas, for rates of infection, rates of return for results, epidemiological data and other factors. Methods: Presently and for the last 3 years, a large bus converted for anonymous, oral, HIV Antibody testing was parked on the streets of NYC in high prevalence areas. One staff member did almost all testing and operational activities in 3 situations: 1) special street activities such as an evening neighborhood sports event, a church organized street fair, an ethnic parade and a community meeting, 2) users of a syringe exchange (SE) site in Harlem, NYC with peer health educators trained to bring people into testing. Some gifts were given for being tested. 3) three SE sites in Brooklyn, NYC without peer health educators or gifts. Results: Statistical analysis showed that HIV Antibody positive (+) results varied greatly from 0% to 25%. At the sports event a small sample had the highest rate of 25% (+). The Harlem church street fair had the lowest with 0% (+) out of 61 tested. The Harlem community meeting site had 16.6% (+). The SE site in Harlem had 20.4% (+) and the SE sites in Brooklyn had 8.3% (+). The number of people requesting the test increased greatly with the assistance of peer health educators. The return rate for results was 70% for the Brooklyn SE sites and lowest at the special street activities. At the Brooklyn SE sites, African Americans were 28% of all tested and 48% of all (+) results while Hispanics were 45% of all tested and 29.6% of (+) results. Conclusion: Street oral HIV Antibody testing, on a bus at syringe exchange sites and at other street events shows some high but varied positive rates. African Americans and Hispanics are disproportionately represented. Peer educators, the use of incentives, treatment referrals and testing expansion will help to reach at-risk people.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Anonymous Testing
• Counseling
• HIV Infections
• Immunologic Techniques
• New York City
• Peer Group
• Research Design
• Syringes

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0004622

UI: 102242119

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