JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

1.1 million people in the United States (U.S.) are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and one in eight are unaware of their serostatus. Rapid HIV testing using an oral fluid specimen might be worth exploring in non-traditional healthcare settings. Studies in selected U.S. cities have indicated high acceptability of receiving an HIV test among people attending dental clinics. However, we are not aware of studies that have assessed willingness to receive HIV testing in dental care settings at a national level.

Objective:

Using a Web-based sample of adult residents of the U.S., we sought to (1) assess the willingness to receive different types of HIV tests in dental care settings, and (2) evaluate independent associations of willingness to receive HIV testing in dental care settings with the extent to which providers were perceived as knowledgeable about HIV, and how comfortable respondents felt discussing HIV with their dental care providers.

Methods:

Participants were recruited using banner advertisements featured on social networking platforms (Facebook and Instagram) from December 2018 to February 2019. Demographic information, sexual behaviors in the past 6 months, HIV testing history, and dental/health care seeking history, were collected using an anonymous Web-based survey. Willingness to receive an HIV test in a dental care setting was assessed on 4-point scale from very willing to very unwilling. Factors independently associated with participants’ willingness were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model.

Results:

Of the 459 participants in our study, almost half (46.41%, 213/459) reported having sexual intercourse in the past 6 months, and about a third had never been tested for HIV (32.24%, 148/459). Most participants had dental insurance coverage (82.35%, 378/459) and more than three-fourths reported being very or somewhat willing (76.91%, 353/459) to receive an HIV test in a dental care setting. Higher levels of willingness to receive HIV testing were associated with being 18-24 years versus ≥35 years (aOR=3.07, 95%CI=1.48-6.36), 25-34 years versus ≥35 years (aOR=4.95, 95%CI=2.47-9.78), engaging in sex with >2 partners in the past 6 months (aOR=2.54, 95%CI=1.24-5.22), believing that one’s dental care provider is knowledgeable about HIV (aOR=2.13, 95%CI=1.12-4.02), and feeling comfortable discussing HIV with one’s dental care provider (aOR=10.30, 95%CI=4.24-25.00).

Conclusions:

Novel strategies are needed to encourage adults in the U.S. who might be at risk for acquiring HIV to discuss their risk with providers in outpatient settings, and to potentially train providers in non-traditional healthcare settings in HIV risk and prevention.