{"database":"biostudies-literature","file_versions":[],"scores":null,"additional":{"omics_type":["Unknown"],"volume":["21(1)"],"submitter":["Rao A"],"pubmed_abstract":["Background:South Africa faces the highest burden of HIV infection globally. The National Strategic Plan on HIV recommends provider-initiated HIV counselling and testing (HCT) in all healthcare facilities. However, HIV continues to overwhelm the healthcare system. Emergency department (ED)-based HCT could address unmet testing needs. Objectives:This study examines the reasons for accepting or declining HCT in South African EDs to inform the development of HCT implementation strategies. Method:We conducted a prospective observational study in two rural EDs, from June to September 2017. Patients presenting to the ED were systematically approached and offered a point-of-care test in accordance with national guidelines. Patients demographics, presenting compaint, medical history and reasons for accepting/declining testing, were recorded. A pooled analysis is presented. Results:Across sites, 2074 adult, non-critical patients in the ED were approached; 1880 were enrolled in the study. Of those enrolled, 19.7% had a previously known positive diagnosis, and 80.3% were unaware of their HIV status. Of those unaware, 90% patients accepted and 10% declined testing. The primary reasons for declining testing were 'does not want to know status' (37.6%), 'in too much pain' (34%) and 'does not believe they are at risk' (19.9%). Conclusions:Despite national guidelines, a high proportion of individuals remain undiagnosed, of which a majority are young men. Our study demonstrated high patient acceptance of ED-based HCT. There is a need for investment and innovation regarding effective pain management and confidential service delivery to address patient barriers. Findings support a routine, non-targeted HCT strategy in EDs."],"journal":["Southern African journal of HIV medicine"],"pagination":["1105"],"full_dataset_link":["https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7433237"],"repository":["biostudies-literature"],"pubmed_title":["Patient acceptance of HIV testing services in rural emergency departments in South Africa."],"pmcid":["PMC7433237"],"pubmed_authors":["Rao A","Mda P","Hansoti B","Kennedy C","Quinn TC","Stead D"],"additional_accession":[]},"is_claimable":false,"name":"Patient acceptance of HIV testing services in rural emergency departments in South Africa.","description":"Background:South Africa faces the highest burden of HIV infection globally. The National Strategic Plan on HIV recommends provider-initiated HIV counselling and testing (HCT) in all healthcare facilities. However, HIV continues to overwhelm the healthcare system. Emergency department (ED)-based HCT could address unmet testing needs. Objectives:This study examines the reasons for accepting or declining HCT in South African EDs to inform the development of HCT implementation strategies. Method:We conducted a prospective observational study in two rural EDs, from June to September 2017. Patients presenting to the ED were systematically approached and offered a point-of-care test in accordance with national guidelines. Patients demographics, presenting compaint, medical history and reasons for accepting/declining testing, were recorded. A pooled analysis is presented. Results:Across sites, 2074 adult, non-critical patients in the ED were approached; 1880 were enrolled in the study. Of those enrolled, 19.7% had a previously known positive diagnosis, and 80.3% were unaware of their HIV status. Of those unaware, 90% patients accepted and 10% declined testing. The primary reasons for declining testing were 'does not want to know status' (37.6%), 'in too much pain' (34%) and 'does not believe they are at risk' (19.9%). Conclusions:Despite national guidelines, a high proportion of individuals remain undiagnosed, of which a majority are young men. Our study demonstrated high patient acceptance of ED-based HCT. There is a need for investment and innovation regarding effective pain management and confidential service delivery to address patient barriers. Findings support a routine, non-targeted HCT strategy in EDs.","dates":{"release":"2020-01-01T00:00:00Z","publication":"2020","modification":"2020-10-29T09:24:41Z","creation":"2020-08-25T07:02:34Z"},"accession":"S-EPMC7433237","cross_references":{"pubmed":["32832116"],"doi":["10.4102/sajhivmed.v21i1.1105"]}}