Rapid HIV antibody testing in the New York State anonymous HIV counseling and testing program: Experience from the field

OBJECTIVES: To assess rapid and conventional HIV test use, client satisfaction, and counselors' comfort. METHODS: At 61 HIV test sites in New York State, we compared HIV test use during the first 6 months of rapid testing in 2003 with the same time period in 2002. We administered surveys to clients at each site during the first 30 days of rapid testing and to counselors before and after training and after 12 weeks of using rapid tests in the field. RESULTS: Almost all (1249 [96.5%] of 1294) clients surveyed selected rapid over conventional HIV testing. During the evaluation period, 6187 HIV tests were reported, 1667 (36.9%) more than during the same period in 2002. All 5771 (100%) of 5771 clients received their rapid HIV test results compared with 333 (85.8%) of 388 clients (P < 0.0001) who had elected conventional testing. After performing rapid testing for 12 weeks, 32 (80%) of 40 trained counselors reported feeling "very comfortable" delivering reactive rapid test results compared with 14 (35%) of 40 trained counselors (P < 0.001) before training. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid testing presents a key opportunity to increase the number of people undergoing HIV testing and the proportion receiving their test results.