Dr. Chittick is presenting his original research on the first “Live” HIV testing of youth in public venues. Here’s an abstract of the research:

by Dr. John Chittick, Ed.D. Harvard

Background:

With adolescent STI/HIV rates still climbing, novel techniques for prevention must be tested to stop new cases of transmission. Because of the continuing stigma attached to AIDS and traditional HIV testing, few youth willingly choose to be tested. The advent of home  test kits in the U.S. changes the dynamics and provides an efficacious method to easily test youth among friends in public venues, proving to be a new and convincing deterrent to high risk behaviors.

Methods:

The first “live” tests of youth in the U.S. began with small groups of teens in November 2012. These initial street events culminated in front of a large crowd of hundreds and local TV news on April 7, 2013 in two major Virginia cities: Virginia Beach and Norfolk (the city with the highest HIV rates in the state and among the highest STIs in the nation). Using the oral swab home test kits, an experienced youth AIDS expert from Harvard and a knowledgeable team have been publicly testing teens. Because the technology is easy to administer with accurate results in 20 minutes, the tests have proven popular. Pre- and post-evaluations were conducted of participating youth and audience members. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were employed.

Results:

44 oral swab tests were administered to at least one person among groups of teens. Youth were surprised that their population was at increasing risk. They expressed approval that the oral swab process was easy and accurate and were interested to find testing could also be done in private with a sexual partner. 78% of youth surveyed (gender differences were minimal) said they would recommend testing to friends personally and through social media (Facebook, texts, Twitter). 68% preferred “live” testing among peers to private blood testing in clinics. Of three HIV-positive tests (ages 16, 17 and 18), teens were taken for confirmatory blood tests.

Conclusion:

Youth were pleased to know that tests are available without a doctor’s visit or prescription; without formal testing in a hospital; and importantly, without parents’ knowledge and intervention. In every group of three or more teens, one chose to be publicly tested. Immediately they used cell phones to send texts and pictures to a wider audience using favorable descriptions of the process. These new kits have the potential to be a powerful and innovative prevention tool to raise awareness, help limit unsafe sex and end the stigma of AIDS testing among youth with significant benefits to society as a whole.

Click here to view a pdf version: TA-PC “Live” HIV Testing as a Prevention Tool – Abstract