The linkage-to-care, early retention, and description of HIV-positive clients at a rapid HIV-testing site in Montreal, Canada (Actuel sur Rue)

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate linkage-to-care and retention in care of clients of Actuel sur Rue (AsR), a rapid HIV testing facility. Methods: Data was collected at AsR (July 2012 to November 2013) from a counseling questionnaire and a client-administered questionnaire. Results: 1311 AsR clients received a rapid HIV test, and 28 (2%) tested positive. All but 4 were successfully linked and 17 were successfully retained in care. An additional 11 clients were already diagnosed with HIV, 4 of whom sought linkage to a clinic. Conclusion: AsR demonstrated great potential for HIV testing, linking, and re-engaging people living with HIV in care.

KEYWORDS:

• access to care
• evaluation
• HIV care
• HIV testing
• retention in care

Acknowledgments

The researchers thank AsR clients for sharing their personal information as well as the staff at AsR, Clinique médicale l’Actuel for their work, and Roy Nitolescu for his support in the statistical analyses.