Implementing a Standardized Social Networks Testing Strategy in a Low HIV Prevalence Jurisdiction

Details

• Alternative Title:
  AIDS Behav
• Personal Author:
  Schumann, Casey ; Kahn, Danielle ; Broaddus, Michelle ; Dougherty, Jacob ; Elderbrook, Megan ; Vergeront, James ; Westergaard, Ryan
• Description:
  Alternative HIV testing strategies are needed to engage individuals not reached by traditional clinical or non-clinical testing programs. A social networks recruitment strategy, in which people at risk for or living with HIV are enlisted and trained by community-based agencies to recruit individuals from their social, sexual, or drug-using networks for HIV testing, demonstrates higher positivity rates compared to other non-clinical recruitment strategies in some jurisdictions. During 2013-2015, a social networks testing protocol was implemented in Wisconsin to standardize an existing social networks testing program. Six community-based, non-clinical agencies with multiple sites throughout the state implemented the protocol over the 2-year period. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The new positivity rate (0.49%) through social networks testing did not differ from that of traditional counseling, testing, and referral recruitment methods (0.48%). Although social networks testing did not yield a higher new positivity rate compared to other testing strategies, it proved to be successful at reaching high risk individuals who may not otherwise engage in HIV testing.
• Subjects:
  Article Counseling HIV Testing Referral Social Network Testing
• Source:
  AIDS Behav. 23(Suppl 1):41-47
• Pubmed ID:
  29766328
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC6249107
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  H97HA22698/Health Resources and Services Administration/ ; NU62PS003668-05-02/National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention/ ; K23 DA032306/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States ; U62 PS003668/PS/NCHHSTP CDC HHS/United States
• Volume:
  23
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:f60bbe763e3ab29d2bb3e027a914ea78ce4df7e3b5bcc0b1c832a08ee008db1c
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/60792/cdc_60792_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 313.52 KB ]