Pilot of non-invasive (oral fluid) testing for HIV within a community setting.

BACKGROUND

The present study sought to determine the level of undiagnosed HIV infection within a community setting of men who have sex with men (MSM) and identify any associated sexual risk behaviours.

METHODS

A total of 427 MSM were recruited in sex-on-premises venues (SOPV) and gay bars within the inner city of Brisbane. An additional 37 MSM were recruited in a smaller, regional centre (Toowoomba). Oral fluid testing for HIV antibodies was undertaken using the Orasure collection system and assay. Each participant was invited to complete a brief behaviour questionnaire and submit an oral fluid specimen. Confirmed serology results were linked to reported sexual behaviours, testing patterns and HIV status.

RESULTS

Of the 464 men surveyed, 33 identified as HIV-positive, and all of these were reactive by the Orasure assay. A further eight people who identified as negative or unknown serostatus, had confirmed Orasure reactive results, resulting in 1.9% of the 'non-HIV positive' MSM sample unaware of their positive HIV status. Therefore, 19.5% of the total confirmed HIV-positive individuals were not aware of their true serostatus.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant minority of HIV-positive MSM are currently unaware of their positive serostatus. However, an analysis of their risk behaviour does not seem to indicate any significant difference to those who are HIV-negative. Interestingly, 86% of those who were unaware they were HIV-positive identified that they had been tested in the previous 6 months and all of them claimed to have been tested in the previous 2 years.