HIV TESTING IN THE SETTING OF INPATIENT ACUTE SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT

Abstract

We examined patients' attitudes toward HIV testing in the setting of acute substance abuse treatment and determined the prevalence of offering routine on-site testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in inpatient state-funded detoxification centers in New England. Voluntary questionnaires were administered to patients (N = 66 respondents) at the only two state-funded inpatient drug detoxification treatment centers in Rhode Island, and a telephone survey of all state-funded inpatient detoxification facilities across the New England area was conducted. In New England, 17/38 (44.7%) of all state-funded inpatient detoxification facilities did not routinely offer on-site HIV testing to clients. Of participants, 97% responded positively to the question, “Do you think HIV testing should be available to patients in drug detoxification facilities such as this one?” There were 89% who reported that they would cope “about the same” or “better” with receiving a positive HIV test result while in detoxification treatment versus elsewhere. The greatest number of participants ranked the Orasure® HIV test, an assay for HIV-1 transmucosal antibody, as the test they would most prefer while in drug treatment. However, 59% of patients responded that the type of test offered would not make a difference in whether they chose testing. Most patients indicated that they would want to see a physician within a few days of a positive diagnosis of HIV infection. Despite the controversy surrounding the provision of HIV testing to patients in inpatient acute substance abuse treatment, HIV testing is desired among these patients provided that HIV clinical care is readily available.