Rapid HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis Screening in a Rural Street Medicine Clinic in West Virginia
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- West Virginia University
- Enrollment
- 200
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Percentage of Finger Stick
Study Overview
Brief Summary
West Virginia faces rising rates of HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis, particularly among individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges. Traditional blood-draw testing for these infections is often hindered by mistrust, logistical barriers, and delays in results. This study, conducted by the West Virginia University (WVU) Street Medicine program, evaluates a rapid, point-of-care fingerstick test for HIV, Hepatitis C, and syphilis that provides results within 10-20 minutes during mobile clinic visits. Participants may choose rapid testing, traditional blood draw (which also includes Hepatitis B screening), or decline testing. All participants will be invited to complete a brief survey about the experiences with screening methods. The goal is to assess whether rapid testing improves screening uptake, linkage to care, and patient satisfaction, ultimately reducing barriers and disease burden in high-risk populations.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Observational
- Observational Model
- Cohort
- Time Perspective
- Prospective
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Patients of the WVU Medicine Street Medicine team
Exclusion Criteria
- •Patients under the age of 18
Arms & Interventions
Participants receiving fingerstick test
- Will get a quick fingerstick test for HIV, Hepatitis C, and syphilis.
- Will receive results in 10-20 minutes.
- If positive, will be offered immediate care and/or a referral.
- If positive, blood draw will be offered on site to confirm results or referred to a WVU Medicine clinic location for follow-up blood test.
- Will be invited to answer survey questions about the feelings and experiences with screening (about 15-30 minutes).
Intervention: Rapid Fingerstick Test (Diagnostic Test)
Participants receiving blood-draw test
Participants receiving blood-draw test:
- Will get a blood draw to test for HIV, Hepatitis B & C, and syphilis
- Will receive results in approximately 3 days (via MyChart message and phone call, or in person at site)
- If positive, will be offered immediate care and/or a referral for follow-up care. • Will be invited to answer questions about the feelings and experiences with screening (about 15 minutes).
Intervention: Blood Draw for lab test (Diagnostic Test)
Participants who decline screening
Participants who decline screening:
• Will be invited to answer survey questions about the feelings and experiences with screening (about 15-30 minutes).
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Percentage of Finger Stick
Time Frame: Day 1
Percentage of participants that opted to take the rapid finger stick test.
Percentage of Blood Draw
Time Frame: Day 1
Percentage of participants that opted to take the blood draw test.
Percentage that decline screening
Time Frame: Day 1
Percentage of participants that opted to decline screening
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Dana Bechtold
Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine - Eastern
West Virginia University