Evaluating the accessibility of HIV testing organizations

Consumer-based indicators were developed to evaluate the accessibility of private and public nonhospital HIV testing organizations.. A comprehensive roster (if 148 nonhospital HIV testing organizations in Los Angeles County was constructed from publicly available listings. A telephone survey protocol was used to contact sites and assess consumer-relevant accessibility measures. Only 50% of the sites could be contacted and indicated that HIV testing was available. Hence, a consumer who tried to reach one site had only a 50-50 chance of success. HIV testing sites differed with regard to how frequently they offered testing; whether they offered anonymous and/or confidential testing; what types of counseling they provided; how quickly test results were available; and how friendly, helpful, attentive, and knowledgeable about testing procedures their attendants were. HIV testing sites must make their services accessible and be perceived by consumers as responsive if they are to be efftective service providers.