Community-Based, Rapid HIV Screening and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Initiation: Findings From a Pilot Program

Objective Many individuals do not have regular access to medical care and preventative health services, suggesting the need for alternative access to HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The purpose of this study is to describe a novel, community-based HIV screening, a PrEP initiation program, and report preliminary findings. Methods One Tent Health, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, launched a pop-up HIV screening and PrEP initiation program in high-risk areas of Washington, DC in 2017. We describe the unique features of the program and report 25 months of screening, risk assessment, and PrEP education data. Odds ratios were calculated to identify disparities in both HIV risk factors and prior HIV testing. Results Between October 2017 and November 2019, 846 individuals underwent HIV screening. Six individuals (0.709%) screened HIV-positive. Approximately 13% had never been screened for HIV, and another 13% had at least one major risk factor for HIV. Individuals who self-identified as White were more likely to have risk factors (OR 2.19, p = 0.0170) and less likely to have ever been tested (OR 0.50, p = 0.0409). Individuals who self-identified as Black or African American were less likely to have risk factors for HIV (OR 0.57, p = 0.0178). Disparities by sex and gender were also observed. Conclusions This program appears to be the first of its kind within the United States. We found the program to be cost-effective, well-received by the community, and accessible by high-risk and unreached populations while further revealing the role of race and gender in the HIV epidemic.