Does the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Recommendation of Opt-Out HIV Screening Impact the Effect of Stigma on HIV Test Acceptance?

AIDS Behav. 2016 Jan;20(1):107-114. doi: 10.1007/s10461-015-1222-8.

Abstract

HIV/AIDS-related stigma is a key factor impeding patient utilization of HIV testing services. To destigmatize HIV testing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended an 'opt-out' screening strategy aimed at all patients in all clinical settings, regardless of HIV risk. This study assessed whether opt-out screening as compared to opt-in screening was associated with increased uptake of HIV testing among patients with HIV/AIDS-related stigma concerns. This study included 374 patients attending two Los Angeles ambulatory care clinics. Stigma items were grouped into three constructs: Blame/isolation, abandonment, and contagion. Individuals endorsing the blame/isolation subscale (AOR = 0.52; 95 % CI 0.29-0.92; p\0.05) and abandonment subscale (AOR = 0.27; 95 % CI 0.13-0.59; p\0.01) were significantly less likely to accept an HIV test. Additionally, the opt-out model did not counter the negative effects of stigma on HIV test acceptance. These findings indicate that stigma remains a barrier to HIV testing, regardless of the opt-out screening approach.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Serodiagnosis / statistics & numerical data*
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine / psychology
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Health Policy*
  • Humans
  • Los Angeles
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / standards*
  • Mass Screening / statistics & numerical data
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Safety-net Providers
  • Treatment Refusal
  • United States