Patterns of HIV Testing Among Ontario Physicians (Quantitative Research) (Report‪)‬

Voluntary HIV testing is an essential component of public health programs aiming to prevent and control HIV. Growing evidence suggests that HIV-infected persons aware of their serostatus are less likely to transmit HIV compared to those unaware of their HIV infection. (1,2) In recent years, Ontario Public Health Laboratories (OPHL) carried out over 400,000 HIV tests annually and diagnosed approximately 1,100 persons with HIV each year, representing almost 45% of HIV cases reported in Canada. (3) Uptake of HIV testing in Ontario has increased substantially over the past decade; however, an estimated 35% of HIV infections in Ontario remain undiagnosed. (4) National recommendations on HIV testing and counselling are available; (5) however, no guidelines exist that specifically address issues related to HIV testing of populations at risk and appropriate frequency of testing. While studies on HIV testing have focused on patient risk factors, (6,7) little is known about provider-related patterns of HIV test prescribing. Such information is needed to develop HIV testing policy and continuing medical education. The objective of this study was to characterize HIV testing patterns among physicians in Ontario. Ontario physicians account for approximately 40% of physicians practising in Canada. (8) Our specific aims were to examine demographic characteristics, specialty and frequency of HIV testing, as well as factors independently associated with high testing frequency.