Implementing an HIV Rapid Testing Pilot Project Among Homeless Veterans in Los Angeles County Henry D. Anaya, PhD Jamie E. Feld, BA Herschel Knapp, PhD, MSSW Tuyen Hoang, PhD Tuyen Hoang, PhD Steven M. Asch, MD MPH
Recent Statistics on Homelessness in the United States 3.5 million homeless nationwide 3.5 million homeless nationwide Los Angeles County homeless estimates: 80,000 homeless individuals on any given night Los Angeles County homeless estimates: 80,000 homeless individuals on any given night 38-40% (≈30,000) are U.S. veterans 38-40% (≈30,000) are U.S. veterans
U.S. Homeless at High Risk for HIV City/ Population Seroprevalence % Years Denver Los Angeles, Adult Women 1.6, , 1998 San Diego, Homeless adults San Francisco, Homeless adults San Francisco, Marginally housed adults Phoenix, Homeless adults Miami, Homeless adults New York City, Homeless at-risk adults 14.3, ,
Why do homeless have low rates of HIV testing? Barriers Barriers –Conventional HIV C&T requires 2 appointments –Patients/providers do not prioritize prevention –Transportation issues –Competing priorities (food, safety, and shelter)
Outreach Services For Veterans Could be Effective ≈ 60% of homeless veterans have never accessed U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health services ≈ 60% of homeless veterans have never accessed U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health services Homeless vets more likely to access outreach services at shelters than VA Homeless vets more likely to access outreach services at shelters than VA How to implement routine HIV testing for homeless veterans? How to implement routine HIV testing for homeless veterans?
HIV Rapid Testing in Shelter Settings
Study Aims Partnered with: Los Angeles County Homeless Services Authority Aim 2: HIV Testing & Receipt of Results Aim 1: Veteran Access to VA Homeless Services
On-site HIV rapid testing Study Design Patients randomized to one of two models: + Referral to VA homeless services Referral to VA homeless services Referral to VA homeless services
Study Design (Continued) Endpoints HIV test providedHIV test provided Receipt of HIV test resultsReceipt of HIV test results Enrollment in VA homeless programEnrollment in VA homeless programCovariates Demographics: (age, gender, ethnicity, education, employment status, sexual preference, mental health comorbidities)Demographics: (age, gender, ethnicity, education, employment status, sexual preference, mental health comorbidities) Access to health services:Access to health services: (last time tested for HIV, Hep C, use of VA services ever and in past year) HIV risk factors: (multiple sex partners, sex without condoms, drug use, sex with high risk partner)HIV risk factors: (multiple sex partners, sex without condoms, drug use, sex with high risk partner)
Referral Flyers
Enrollment and Randomization Approached 2664 Approached 2664 Eligible 136 Excluded 2528 Eligible 136 Excluded 2528 Enrolled 97 Enrolled 97 Referral Only On-site Rapid Test Not veteran status HIV test within past year Not between yrs Not competent to consent
Results: HIV test provided?
HIV results received?
Conclusions: HIV rapid testing feasible/acceptable at shelters HIV rapid testing feasible/acceptable at shelters Collaboration with federal and non-federal agencies practical Collaboration with federal and non-federal agencies practical Referral model (flyer only) non-effective; more robust model needed Referral model (flyer only) non-effective; more robust model needed Feasible to train paraprofessionals to administer HIV rapid testing 1 Feasible to train paraprofessionals to administer HIV rapid testing 1 1 Knapp H, Anaya HD & Feld JE. Expanding HIV Rapid Testing Via Point-of-Care Paraprofessionals. J STD & AIDS, Sept 2008.