Identifying risk factors for HIV-positive test results in walk-in and hospitalized patients in a Mexico City HIV clinic: a descriptive study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze risk factors for HIV-positive tests in walk-in users and in hospitalized patients in a Mexico City hospital. We undertook a cross-sectional study based on routine HIV testing and counseling service data in adults undergoing an HIV test from January 2015 to July 2017. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine risk factors for walk-in and hospitalized patients. The results showed that 2040 people tested during the period; hospitalized patients were more likely to test HIV-positive than walk-in users (18 versus 15%; p < 0.05). HIV risk factors for hospitalized patients included being men who have sex with men (MSM) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 7.2, 95% CI 2.0–26.5), divorced (aOR 4.4, 95% CI 1.3–14.4), having 3–5 lifetime sexual partners (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0–7.4), and being in the emergency room (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.1–11.3), intensive care (aOR 27.2, 95% CI 3.4–217.2), or clinical pneumology wards (aOR 33.4, 95% CI 9.7–115.2). In the walk-in group, HIV risk factors included being male (aOR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3–5.9), being MSM (aOR 4.3, 95% CI 2.0–9.5), having sex while using drugs (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3–4.0), being referred by a physician for testing (aOR 3.2, 95% CI 1.6–6.3), and perceiving oneself at risk (aOR 3.8, 95% CI 2.3–6.3). Differential risk factors found among hospitalized patients and walk-in testers can be helpful in designing better HIV testing strategies to increase early diagnosis and linkage to care.