Open AccessLimited Knowledge and Lack of Screening for Acute HIV Infection at Primary Care Clinics in High-Prevalence Communities of New York City
Author(s) -
Javier López-Rios,
Timothy Frasca,
Marcia J Kindlon,
Theresa M. Exner,
Andrea Norcini Pala,
Milton L. Wainberg,
Yvette Calderon,
Richard A. Cotroneo,
Arismendi A Jiménez,
Robert H. Remien
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
aids and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.994
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1573-3254
pISSN - 1090-7165
DOI - 10.1007/s10461-019-02527-3
Subject(s) - health psychology , public health , primary care , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , medicine , family medicine , environmental health , gerontology , nursing
Diagnosis and treatment of acute HIV infection (AHI) is crucial for ending the HIV epidemic. Individuals with AHI, who have high viral loads and often are unaware of their infection, are more likely to transmit HIV to others than those with chronic infection. In preparation for an educational intervention on AHI in primary health care settings in high HIV-prevalence areas of New York City, 22 clinic directors, 313 clinic providers, and 220 patients were surveyed on their knowledge and awareness of the topic from 2012-2015. Basic HIV knowledge was high among all groups while knowledge of AHI was partial among providers and virtually absent among patients. Inadequate knowledge about this crucial phase of HIV may be impeding timely identification of cases in the primary care setting.