HIV Screening Practices Among Youth Tested for Other Sexually Transmitted Infections in Pediatric Primary Care

Claudia P. Vicetti Miguel, MD; Wendi G. Ehrman, MD; Lia Mojica, BS; Melodee A. Liegl, MA; Amy Y. Pan, PhD; Peter L. Havens, MD, MS

WMJ. 2025;124(4):371-374.

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ABSTRACT

Introduction: HIV remains a significant public health concern. In Wisconsin, new cases increased by 36% during 2020 through 2022, and 22% were 13 to 24 years old. Despite recommendations for routine HIV screening, youth testing remains inadequate. This study aimed to understand HIV screening practices among youth receiving care in pediatric primary care clinics in southeastern Wisconsin.

Methods: Clinic HIV testing rates were measured in patients aged 12 to 26 undergoing gonorrhea and/or chlamydia testing at pediatric primary care clinics affiliated with a not-for-profit children’s hospital.

Results: Youth HIV testing rates at all clinic sites were low (median 19.7%) ranging from 13.2% to 36.1%. Higher rates were seen in clinics with higher rates of sexually transmitted infections.

Conclusions: Interventions are needed to enhance HIV testing rates in pediatric primary care clinics.

Author affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Vicetti Miguel, Havens); Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, MCW, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Ehrman); MCW, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Liegl); Department of Pediatrics, Division of Quantitative Health Services, MCW, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Pan).
Corresponding author: Claudia P. Vicetti Miguel, MD, Children’s Corporate Center, Suite C450, 999 N 92nd St, Wauwatosa, WI 53226; phone 414.337.7093; email cvicetti@mcw.edu; ORCID ID 0009-0009-1290-0130
Financial disclosures: None declared.
Funding/support: None declared.

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