Acceptability of Rapid HIV Testing Among Latinos in Washington Heights, New York City, New York, USA

J Immigr Minor Health. 2017 Aug;19(4):861-867. doi: 10.1007/s10903-016-0525-9.

Abstract

In the United States, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has a disproportionately large impact on Latino Americans. This study assessed the acceptability of rapid HIV testing among a sample of Latinos from New York City. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 192 participants from The Washington Heights/Inwood Informatics Infrastructure for Community-Centered Comparative Effectiveness Research (WICER) study. Participants were interviewed and offered rapid HIV testing and post-test counseling. Seventy-five percent (n = 143) accepted rapid HIV testing when offered. More religious participants were less likely than less religious participants to undergo testing (RR = 0.73; 95% CI 0.54-0.99). Participants tested for HIV within the past year were less likely than those who had not been tested within the past year to agree to undergo testing (RR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.11-0.66). Community-based rapid HIV testing is feasible among Latinos in urban environments. Outreach efforts to engage religious individuals and encouraging routine testing should be reinforced.

Keywords: Ethnic; HIV testing; Latinos; Prevention.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV Infections / ethnology*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New York City
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / ethnology*
  • Sex Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors