Peralta L, Brierley A, Deeds BG, Aaronson A, Gorigoitia C, Young K; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. F12190.
University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
ISSUES: Every minute five youths between the ages of 10-24 are infected with HIV. Worldwide, youths of this age account for one-third of those living with HIV or AIDS. Due to this population's particular vulnerability to HIV infection, it is important to develop cutting edge early identification approaches to promoting counseling and testing services (HIV CTS). DESCRIPTION: The objective is to describe an innovative approach to improve access and acceptance of HIV CTS for youths aged 13-24 in a large US city. This approach includes community events offering free, confidential or anonymous testing, social marketing, peer education, and health promotion activities conducted prior to the events and with input from community members and youth participants. Event activities are conducted by team members and teen volunteers and are followed by participant evaluation, notification of HIV test results, and post-test counseling. Accessibility, client acceptability, and confidentiality/ privacy, among others, are also factors to consider when offering HIV in a community setting. LESSONS LEARNED: Teens and young adults respond positively to HIV CTS when offered in community or public settings in contrast to perceived disadvantaged of confidentiality and privacy. Lessons learned are organized into categories of preparation, planning, and post-test follow-up. RECOMMENDATION: Outposted testing events in public and community settings increase access to HIV CTS services by youths.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- AIDS Vaccines
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adolescent
- Adolescent Health Services
- Adult
- Anonymous Testing
- Counseling
- HIV
- HIV Antibodies
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Promotion
- Humans
- Mass Screening
Other ID:
UI: 102254986
From Meeting Abstracts