Detecting HIV among persons accompanying patients to an infectious diseases clinic.

Background: Infectious diseases (ID) clinics are locations where members of at risk social networks, including sex partners of HIV-infected patients, make contact with a medical care setting when they accompany HIV-positive patients to appointments.

Methods: We implemented a free point-of-care rapid HIV testing program for anyone accompanying a patient to the University of North Carolina ID clinic. Acceptability of the program among the general clinic population was assessed via an anonymous survey 1 year after program implementation.