Predictors of failure to return for HIV test result and counseling by test site type

The objective of this study was to determine the primary predictors of failure to return (FTR) for HIV test results and counseling by test site type from among those variables collected during the pretest, risk assessment session. The study sample consisted of 366,280 clients tested for HIV antibodies over an 18-month period at publicly funded testing sites throughout California. The FTR rate for the entire sample was 16.4%. The most significant predictor of FTR was the site type at which testing took place, with those testing at sexually transmitted disease clinics four times, and mobile testing clients over three times, more likely to fail to return than alternative test site clients. Independent predictors of FTR differed dramatically across the types of testing sites examined. Implications of these results for devising site-specific counseling strategies to reduce FTR are examined and possible effects on FTR of more rapid testing procedures and home testing are considered. Suggestions for future research are outlined.