HIV testing in substance abusers

HIV testing among substance abusers in the United States is a significant p ublic and individual health issue in need of further examination. We analyz ed interview data gathered over 15 months in 1992 and 1993 from 2315 patien ts on presentation for addiction treatment to determine the frequency of an d factors associated with previous HN testing. Among this group of alcohol, heroin, and cocaine abusers, 53% (1231) reported previous HN testing. Alth ough in bivariate and multivariable analyses those with identifiable risk f actors for HIV were more likely to have been tested 27% of injection drug u sers, 38% with multiple sexual partners, and 39% of those with a history of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) had not been HIV tested. Other factor s associated with previous HIV testing included having a primary care physi cian, the primary care physician's awareness of the patient's substance abu se problem, and having received prior addiction care, However. 38% of subst ance abusers who had previously received addiction treatment beyond detoxif ication had not been tested. Of those tested, 10% (n = 122) reported a posi tive test, and 7% (n = 81)had not received the test results. Of those with positive test results, 37% were not injection drug users. Promotion of HIV testing among alcohol and other drug abusers in both medical and substance abuse treatment settings should be a priority.