Posted on January 27, 2017
Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine
"A new survey of 51 youth-serving, nonclinical, community-based organizations in Baltimore, Maryland, found that the majority did not offer HIV testing, nor did they have established links to refer youth to testing. Organizations that did provide HIV tests were more likely to offer general health services and referral services for sexually transmitted infections screening outside of HIV, and had staff members who were more comfortable talking about sexual health issues.
In their study published Jan. 25 in Public Health Reports, Johns Hopkins researchers conducted in-person and phone surveys with youth-serving, nonclinical, community-based organizations to determine how many provide HIV testing and the characteristics of those that do. Youth-serving community organizations were chosen for the study based on their proximity to where youth live and spend their free time. The researchers say these organizations are uniquely positioned to help young people most at risk for HIV — who may lack access to routine health care — learn their infection status and, if necessary, get treatment."
