A comparison of effectiveness between oral rapid testing and routine serum-based testing for HIV in an outpatient dental clinic in Yuxi Prefecture, China: a case-control study

HIV testing behaviors and willingness to receive oral rapid HIV testing among dental patients in Xi'an, China

Introduction

HIV testing is an important strategy for controlling and ultimately ending the global pandemic. Oral rapid HIV testing (ORHT) is an evidence-based strategy and the evidence-based shows is favored over traditional blood tests in many key populations. The dental setting has been found to be a trusted, convenient, and yet untapped venue to conduct ORHT. This study assessed the HIV testing behaviors and willingness to receive ORHT among dental patients in Xi’an, China.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of dental patients from Xi’an was conducted from August to September 2017. Dental patients were recruited using a stratified cluster sampling. A 44-item survey was used to measure HIV/AIDS knowledge, HIV testing behaviors, and willingness to receive ORHT.

Results

Nine hundred and nine dental patients completed the survey with a mean HIV/AIDS knowledge score of 10.7/15 (SD 2.8). Eighty-four participants (9.2%) had previously received an HIV test. Participants would have a high rate of HIV testing if they had higher monthly income (OR = 1.982, 95% CI: 1.251–3.140) and a higher HIV/AIDS knowledge score (OR = 1.137, 95% CI: 1.032–1.252). Five hundred and eighty-two participants (64.0%) were willing to receive ORHT before a dental treatment, 198 (21.8%) were not sure, and 129 (14.2%) were unwilling. Logistic regression showed that age (OR = 0.970, 95% CI: 0.959–0.982), HIV/AIDS knowledge score (OR = 1.087, 95% CI: 1.031–1.145), previous HIV test (OR = 2.057, 95% CI: 1.136–3.723), having advanced HIV testing knowledge (OR = 1.570, 95% CI: 1.158–2.128), and having advanced ORHT knowledge (OR = 2.074, 95%: CI 1.469–2.928) were the factors affecting the willingness to receive ORHT.

Conclusions

The majority of dental patients had not previously received an HIV test, although many were receptive to being tested in the dental setting. The dental setting as a venue to screen people for HIV needs further exploration, particularly because many people do not associate dentistry with chairside screenings. Increasing awareness of ORHT and reducing testing price can further improve the patient’s willingness to receive ORHT.

Exploring dental students' knowledge of HIV and attitudes towards saliva screening for HIV

INTRODUCTION

Early detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) allows antiretroviral therapy to commence, improving patient outcomes. Screening for HIV with saliva can be undertaken by dental practitioners. Research has found the procedure to be better accepted by patients than traditional blood testing. However, lack of knowledge and time constraints were identified as barriers to implementation for dental practitioners. This study aimed to explore dental students' knowledge of HIV and their attitudes towards implementing saliva screening for HIV in a dental setting.

METHODS

Convenience sampling was used to recruit four focus groups of six to nine dentistry students from the University of Queensland. Participants also completed a questionnaire prior to the focus group.

RESULTS

Thirty-three students participated in the focus groups. Students recognised their knowledge of HIV was limited, and 46% (n = 15) reported having treated a HIV-positive patient in the last year. Three key themes emerged from discussions; knowledge and experience of HIV; barriers and enablers; and scope of practice. Students identified stigma, lack of training, cost and time restraints as barriers to implementing saliva screening for HIV. Opinions varied on if screening was within a dental practitioner's scope of practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst students were open to conducting saliva screening for HIV, they identified prominent barriers limiting its implementation within a dental setting. Education on saliva screening for HIV, patient counselling and referral pathways could be integrated into dentistry curriculums to reduce these barriers. Further investigation is needed into the cost-effectiveness of implementing screening for HIV in a dental setting.

Chilean Health Care Providers' Perceived Comfort in Performing Oral Rapid Testing for HIV: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVES

To understand key factors influencing Chilean health care providers' perceived comfort performing oral rapid HIV testing.

DESIGN

One hundred and fifty health care providers completed a self-administered questionnaire that included a five-item scale measuring self-perceived comfort in conducting HIV pretest counseling, oral rapid testing, finger-prick testing, and delivering test results.

RESULTS

Most participants (60%) envisioned good overall comfort performing oral rapid HIV testing (mean score of 16.21; range 0-20), including doing at least four of the five steps. They perceived least comfort delivering HIV-positive test results during posttest counseling. HIV stigmatizing attitudes reduced self-perceived comfort.

CONCLUSIONS

Providing training to counter HIV stigmatization while increasing comfort in performing oral rapid testing would help facilitate its successful implementation.