HIV testing and counseling among adolescents attending family planning clinics

Abstract

This study examined whether an assessment tool combining HIV-related risk behaviors and symptoms would increase HIV testing and return for post-test counseling among 466 adolescents attending family planning clinics. The results indicted that high-risk behaviors were common among these adolescents. The majority (78.3%) identified themselves as not using condoms consistently, almost a quarter (24.7%) reported a history of STDs and 129 (27.7%) reported they had pierced their bodies. A total of 214 (45.9%) received HIV testing. Two (0.4%) adolescents, one male and one female, tested positive for HIV. Of the 214 adolescents who underwent testing, 183 (85.5%) returned to the clinic for post-test counseling. The results of this study indicated that adolescents who reported risk behaviors and symptoms were not more likely than those who reported no risk behaviors and symptoms to request testing and return for post-test counseling. In light of these results, the authors review the protocols associated with testing and post-test counseling and propose solutions that can potentially improve these processes. The authors recommend integrating a risk assessment tool with HIV testing in family planning clinics as testing and return for post-test counseling rates were high.

Acknowledgments

This study was partially funded by the Texas Department of Health.