Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Anonymous Testing”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

HIV test-seeking before and after the restriction of anonymous testing in North Carolina.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the impact on HIV test-seeking of North Carolina's restriction of anonymous testing to 18 of its 100 counties as of September 1, 1991. METHODS: Trends from 4 months prerestriction to the 16-month restriction period in counties retaining vs counties eliminating anonymous testing were compared. RESULTS: HIV testing increased throughout the state, but more rapidly where anonymous testing was retained than elsewhere: 64% vs 44%. These differences held for all sociodemographic subgroups and were most pronounced among adolescents and African Americans and other non-Whites. CONCLUSIONS: The data are consistent with a detrimental effect of elimination of anonymous testing, although confounding from differences in AIDS awareness or in repeat tests is possible.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[Detection of HCV infection among clients of an anonymous testing center for HIV infection].

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for HCV infection among clients of the centre of anonymous testing for HIV infection. Two hundred and eleven clients of anonymous testing centre for HIV infection in Białystok were additionally tested for anti-HCV antibodies and the relationship between HCV infection and risk factors was analysed Main observations: Anti-HCV were detected in 6/211 individuals (2,4%). Increased risk of HCV infection was observed among intravenous drug users, unemployed, residents of other woiewodships (administrative regions), and in those who had been tested for HIV infection in the past. Centres for anonymous testing for HIV infection is also a feasible place for screening for HCV infection. It is reasonable to limit testing for HCV to patients with risk factors

Adult↗
PubMed2005

HIV risk perception and prevalence in a program for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission: comparison of women who accept voluntary counseling and testing and those tested anonymously.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether data from voluntary counseling and testing (VCT)/prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs can be used for HIV surveillance. METHODS: Women attending an antenatal clinic at the district hospital in Entebbe, Uganda, from May 2002 to April 2003 were offered counseling and HIV testing with same-day results (VCT) and nevirapine for PMTCT was provided for HIV-positive women and their babies. Those who declined VCT were tested for HIV anonymously. RESULTS: Overall, 2635 women accepted VCT; 883 were tested anonymously. HIV prevalence was higher in VCT than in anonymously tested women in the first month of the program (20% vs. 11%, P=0.05) and in months with <70% VCT uptake (17% vs. 8%, P<0.001) but was similar in months with high uptake. Uptake of VCT was higher in women who had risk factors for HIV, especially those who believed themselves to have been exposed (84% vs. 73%, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: There was a bias to accepting VCT in women with HIV, or risk factors for HIV infection, the former most apparent when there was low coverage. Data from VCT/PMTCT programs cannot replace anonymous surveillance for monitoring of HIV epidemic trends where coverage is incomplete within clinics or communities.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1990

Prevalence of maternal HIV infection based on unlinked anonymous testing of newborn babies.

This pilot study established that unlinked anonymous testing of dried blood spots routinely collected on Guthrie cards for neonatal screening is a feasible method for monitoring HIV prevalence in women at the time of delivery. The method was sensitive, specific, and less expensive than more conventional ELISAs. 114,515 dried blood spots taken from cards collected in three Thames regions were tested for antibody to HIV-1. 28 samples were confirmed to be antibody positive by western blot (seroprevalence 0.24 per 1000). Unlinked anonymous screening of newborn babies should be extended to monitor the spread of HIV infection in the heterosexual population and to target preventive strategies and provision of health care.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1994

Prevalence of HIV infections among patients attending a Parisian anonymous testing center between 1988 and 1993.

The prevalence of HIV infection was assessed among 15,611 consecutive patients attending a Parisian anonymous testing center from April 1988 to June 1993. Sera (17,910) were tested for the presence of anti-HIV antibodies using two different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Seropositivity was verified by Western blotting. The sera were also assayed for HIV antigenemia detection in 2,493 cases. Six hundred and seventy-seven patients were found to be anti-HIV antibody positive: among them 666 were infected by HIV-1 and only 11 by HIV-2. Antigenemia was detected in 108 samples (4.3%). In all cases but 5, antigenemia was associated with the presence of specific antibodies. Risk factors for HIV infection could be determined for 5,735 patients. The HIV prevalence rates were 5.2% in 1988-89, 4.9% in 1990, 3.4% in 1991, 2.8% in 1992 and 1.8% for the 6 first months of 1993 (p < 0.01). Only one patient was coinfected with HTLV-1. This study shows a trend of decreasing seropositivity rates among the patients attending the anonymous testing center since 1990. By contrast, the percentage of seropositive patients with antigenemia was stable between 1988 and 1993.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

Prevalence of maternal HIV infection in Scotland based on unlinked anonymous testing of newborn babies. Update.

In January 1990, unlinked anonymous testing of Guthrie cards for HIV antibody commenced in Scotland. Ethics Committee approval allowed testing of 99.6% of Scottish births. Twenty-one mothers spontaneously refused to allow testing of their baby's blood. Samples were coded by district postcodes. For 1990 through 1991, eluates of 132,531 dried blood spots were initially tested for HIV-1 antibody with the Fujirebio technique. Of the 49 positive samples 38 were confirmed to be positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot (seroprevalence 0.3 per 1000). Thirty-five of 38 samples came from large metropolitan areas in Scotland. Prevalences were 2.0 per 1000 for Edinburgh city, 0.7 per 1000 for Dundee and Aberdeen, 0.15 per 1000 for Glasgow and 0.05 per thousand for all other areas in Scotland. Recent spread of HIV infection to Aberdeen may have occurred. These figures do not support an overall increase of HIV infection in childbearing women in Scotland.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Determination of the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in gravidas by non-anonymous versus anonymous testing.

From February 16, 1988 to July 15, 1988, a prospective study was undertaken at the University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago to do the following: 1) determine the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among our gravid patients, 2) test the hypothesis that methodical counseling would elicit a more thorough recounting of risk factors, and 3) test the hypothesis that those patients who self-identify risk factors represent only a fraction of HIV-positive gravidas. After educational counseling regarding HIV infection, 349 clinic patients (34%) requested non-anonymous HIV testing (group I). Risk factor histories were recorded from these women. Simultaneously, 849 women admitted to labor and delivery were queried with regard to the same risk factors but without preliminary counseling, and then tested anonymously (group II). Nineteen percent (63 of 349) of group I reported risk factors, whereas only 9.6% (82 of 849) of group II reported similar risks (P less than .0001). Two HIV-positive patients were identified in group I, both of whom reported risk factors (seroprevalence 0.6%). Nine HIV-positive patients were detected in group II, but only four reported risk factors (seroprevalence 1.1%). We conclude that methodical counseling may elicit increased reporting of HIV risk factors as compared with questioning without preliminary counseling. Because many HIV-positive patients may be unable or unwilling to report risk factors, selective voluntary testing will not identify all HIV-positive gravidas.

Chicago↗
PubMed1995

Effect of anonymous test grading on passing rates as related to gender and race.

BACKGROUND: Concerns about potential bias in the grading of medical students at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine led to a major institutional policy change whereby students' identities were masked during the test-grading process. The present study assessed the effect of this anonymous test grading policy by comparing the performance of men and women students and of white and African American students prior to and after adoption of the policy change. METHOD: A test-passing rate was determined for each of 476 freshmen students in the comparison groups from the eight classes of 1988 through 1995. Mean test-passing rates for the four student cohorts prior to policy implementation (1988-1991) were compared with mean passing rates after the policy was implemented (1992-1995). RESULTS: The pre-post change in the mean test-passing rate of men was not significantly different from the pre-post change of women, and a nonsignificant effect was also found when the pre-post change in the mean test-passing rate of white students was compared with that of African American students. No significant pre-post change was found for white men, white women, African American men, or African American women. CONCLUSION: The results showed no effect of the anonymous test-grading policy, which suggests that there was no widespread gender or racial bias in the grading of freshman medical students before the change in institutional grading policy.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2001

Characteristics of clients attending confidential versus anonymous testing clinics for human immunodeficiency virus.

OBJECTIVES: To compare risk behavior between subjects attending anonymous and confidential clinics for human immunodeficiency virus testing, and to assess whether anonymous testing results in a higher accrual of persons at risk for HIV. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire that addressed sociodemographic and risk behavior aspects was administered to 140 subjects attending an anonymous clinic and 124 attending a confidential clinic in the Tel Aviv area. A logistic regression analysis was used to compare the effects of various behavioral factors on the probability of attending each clinic. RESULTS: Chronological age, age at first sexual intercourse, and the percent of married subjects were similar in both clinics. However, there was a significant difference in the sex ratio and in educational attainment (85.0% versus 55.6% were males, P < 0.001; and 58% vs. 34% had over 12 years of education, P < 0.001, in the anonymous and confidential clinics respectively). There was a striking difference between the two clinics with regard to sexual experience characteristics: of the subjects reaching the anonymous clinic 21.4% were homosexual and 10.0% bisexual versus a total of 2.6% in the confidential clinic. A logistic regression analysis, comparing the effects of various behavioral factors on the probability of attending each clinic, showed that gender (male), high education, homosexuality, number of partners and sexual encounter with sex workers were the strongest predictors for selecting anonymous HIV examination. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals at high risk for HIV, such as homosexuals and bisexuals, prefer to attend an anonymous clinic.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1991

Prevalence of maternal HIV infection in Scotland based on unlinked anonymous testing of newborn babies.

Dried blood spot samples from newborn babies have been successfully tested for HIV-1 antibody by the particle agglutination method to assess the prevalence of infection in the mothers. In January, 1990, unlinked anonymous testing of Guthrie cards for HIV antibody was begun in Scotland. 99.6% of Scottish births were tested. 9 mothers spontaneously refused to allow testing of their baby's blood. Samples were coded by district postcodes. Eluates of 65,773 dried blood spots were initially tested for HIV-1 antibody with the Fujirebio technique. Of the 31 positive samples 19 were confirmed to be positive by enzyme-linked radioimmunoassay and western blot (seroprevalence 0.29 per 1000). All these samples came from large metropolitan areas on the east coast. Prevalences were 2.5 per 1000 for Edinburgh city, 1.4 per 1000 for Dundee, and 0.7 per 1000 for Aberdeen. We identified as HIV-positive all babies known to be so in named testing programmes. HIV testing of Guthrie cards can be used to monitor HIV status in mothers who have just given birth. The use of district postcode data in sample identification will allow accurate targetting of prevention strategies and early detection of spread of infection by geographic area.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed2000

HIV seroprevalence by anonymous testing in patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and in tuberculosis contacts.

Having witnessed a large increase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis notifications in south London, we wanted to ascertain the prevalence of HIV and tuberculosis co-infection in our patients. All patients with tuberculosis and their contacts were anonymously tested for HIV in blood and saliva, respectively. 11.4% of patients (from various demographic groups) with tuberculosis who attend chest clinics in south London are HIV positive. In addition, 5% of individuals seen in the tuberculosis contact screening clinics and 4% new entrants are HIV positive. All patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, irrespective of background, should be urged to have an HIV test.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed2002

Lifetime correlates associated with amphetamine use among northern Thai men attending STD and HIV anonymous test sites.

AIMS: To investigate the demographic, sexual, and other substance use risk correlates of amphetamine use among men in northern Thailand prior to the current epidemic of amphetamine use in the Kingdom. DESIGN: Cross-sectional quantitative behavioral questionnaires. SETTING: Thai Ministry of Health STD and HIV Anonymous Test Sites in the upper northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Lamphun. PARTICIPANTS: Adult Thai men recruited at clinics for enrollment in an HIV seroincidence cohort study (The Thai HIVNET). All men were HIV negative at enrollment, and had at least one self-reported sexual risk for HIV infection (a recent STD, use of sex workers, multiple sexual partners, low or absent condom use, sex with men). MEASUREMENTS: Participants answered a structured questionnaire. FINDINGS: Lifetime history of amphetamine use was reported by 133/914 men, 14.5%. Older age was protective for use (odds ratio (OR) 0.5) and use was associated with use of other substances; heroin (OR 7.1), thinner (OR 6.2), opium (OR 5.9), and marijuana (OR 5.7). Several STDs were associated with amphetamine use: gonorrhea (OR 2.3) and genital warts (OR 2.4), and any STD (OR 1.9). In multivariate analysis, use of heroin (OR 3.1), soft drugs (OR 4.9), and a history of gonorrhea (OR 2.0) were independently associated with amphetamine use in northern Thai men. CONCLUSIONS: Associations between young age, gonorrhea, other substance use and amphetamines indicate that prevention measures could occur at STD clinics and be incorporated into school programs when individuals are entering adolescence.

Amphetamine-Related Disorders↗
PubMed1990

Prevalence of maternal HIV infection based on anonymous testing of neonates, Sydney 1989.

The presence of antibody to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in post-partum women may be inferred by screening the blood of their newborn babies, since maternal IgG antibodies freely cross the placenta. We tested a sample of 10,217 newborns from 10 hospitals covering three areas in Sydney and other metropolitan centres in New South Wales from April to July, 1989. None of the specimens gave a positive test for antibody to HIV. Thus, the prevalence of HIV positive serology in this sample of newborns was found to be zero. It was estimated that the seroprevalence of antibody to HIV among all neonates in the study area was between zero and 0.045% (99% confidence interval). Because newborns are an accessible group for the study of HIV, and can act as surrogates for their mothers, anonymous testing of this sentinel group will remove some of the limitations generalizing the information in the present database of HIV infection in Australia. This study provides baseline data and suggests that there is not a widespread epidemic of HIV infection among heterosexual persons in Australia at the present time and that routine antenatal testing of women for antibody to HIV may not be cost-effective. However, it will be important to repeat this study at regular intervals to detect any increase in HIV seroprevalence.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Epidemiology of HIV infections in Switzerland and the German Federal Republic--contribution of official surveillance systems, of anonymous testing and of blood donor screening].

Official records on HIV infections are useful instruments to register and demonstrate the spread of the virus in the population observed. The data resulting from the registries allow the estimation of the means and the variabilities of age, sex and the probable path of infection in the observed population. In Switzerland as well as in the Federal Republic of Germany, the mean age of persons whose positive HIV status is detected increases in the course of time. In Switzerland, relatively more women are infected, and injecting drug users play a more important role. In the Federal Republic of Germany the homo-/bisexual men seem still to be the most important group. Nevertheless, data without any reference baseline do not enable an inference to be drawn in respect of trends and prevalence in the general population. Data on blood donations, collected in Switzerland as well as in Germany, and data on anonymous testing collected in Switzerland, are helpful in estimating trends and prevalence in the general population. Data suggest that the overall prevalence is higher in Switzerland than in the Federal Republic of Germany. Of course, comparisons between different countries must take in account the different structure of reporting systems and attitudes toward these systems.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗