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Self‐reported historic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in a Brazilian blood donor HIV case‐control study
Author(s) -
Bruhn Roberta,
Moreno Elizabeth,
Sabino Ester C.,
Ferreira Naura Aparecida F.,
CarneiroProietti Anna Barbara F.,
Lopes Maria Esther D.,
Sampaio Divaldo,
Loureiro Paula,
Custer Brian,
Goncalez Thelma T.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.13792
Subject(s) - human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , virology , medicine , immunology
BACKGROUND There has been increased worldwide emphasis on the many benefits of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serostatus awareness for both infection prevention and improved treatment outcomes. Previous studies indicate that donors may use blood donation to be tested; the objectives of this analysis were to assess, among donors with previously undisclosed risk behavior in the 12 months before donation, the frequency of those who have previously been tested for HIV and the demographic and behavioral factors associated with such testing. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS In this secondary analysis from an HIV case‐control study of blood donors in Brazil, we analyzed the response to the question, “Other than blood donation, have you ever been tested for HIV?” Demographic and disclosed risk behaviors associated with previous testing were determined. RESULTS The study included 341 HIV‐positive cases and 791 HIV‐negative controls (1:2 case/control ratio). Overall, 31% of blood donors (40% of cases and 26% of controls) reported having been tested for HIV outside of blood donation. History of HIV testing varied according to sex, HIV status, and reported sexual risk behavior. CONCLUSION Although it is encouraging that previous testing was more frequent in donors with acknowledged sexual risk behavior in Brazil, 60% still had not been tested for HIV outside of the blood donation setting. Educating donors on the importance of not using blood centers as a means to get tested for HIV in Brazil, especially if they engage in higher risk behaviors, and seeking alternate testing venues instead could improve the safety of donated blood.