Relative Efficacy of Prevention Counseling With Rapid and Standard HIV Testing: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Background: Two risk-reduction counseling sessions can prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); however, return rates for test results are low. Study: A randomized, controlled trial compared rapid HIV testing and counseling in 1 visit with standard HIV testing and counseling in 2 visits. Main outcomes were STDs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomo-niasis, syphilis, HIV) within 12 months. Participants were 15- to 39-year-old STD clinic patients in Denver, Long Beach, and Newark. STD screening and questionnaires were administered every 3 months. Results: Counseling was completed by 1632 of 1648 (99.0%) of the rapid-test group and 1144 of 1649 (69.4%) of the standard-test group. By 12 months, STD was acquired by 19.1 % of the rapid group and 17.1 % of the standard group (relative risk [RR], 1.11; confidence interval [CI], 0.96–1.29). STD incidence was higher in the rapid-test group than in the standard-test group among men (RR, 1.34; CI