Routine HIV testing capacity, practices, and perceptions among school-based health center providers in New York State after enactment of the 2010 amended HIV testing law.

Background: The 2010 New York State (NYS) HIV Testing Law requires that primary care providers routinely offer HIV testing to patients aged 13-64 years, regardless of risk, and link individuals with HIV to medical care. School-based health centers (SBHCs) are in a position to offer HIV screening to a significant proportion of youth. One year after the law went into effect, we conducted a study to assess whether NYS SBHCs implemented these provisions.

Methods: Medical providers from 83 NYS SBHCs, serving students age 13 and older, participated in a Web-based survey regarding school-based health center capacity for and implementation of routine HIV testing, linkage to care, attitudes, and barriers.

Results: On-site HIV testing was reported to be available at 71% of SBHCs. Linkages to age-appropriate HIV care were reported to be available at 85% of SBHCs. The routine offer of HIV testing for eligible students was reported to be implemented at 55% of SBHCs. Forty-one percent reported that HIV testing was offered to at least half of eligible students during the 2010-2011 school year. New York City and high school providers were more likely to report the routine offer of HIV testing, on-site testing, linkages to care, perceive students as willing to test, indicate fewer barriers, and report having offered testing to a majority of eligible students in the previous year.

Conclusions: Many SBHCs have adopted key provisions of the amended NYS HIV Testing Law. Additional assistance may be needed to achieve full implementation; however, especially among SBHCs serving younger populations and those located outside New York City.