ABSTRACT
Background: HIV is a chronic infection that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a life-threatening condition. The highest number of new HIV diagnoses occurs in males, particularly Black men living in the southern region of the United States.⯠Black men tend to test less frequently than other races. ⯠Objective: This pilot project was a quality improvement (QI) initiative to increase HIV screening rates among Black men who received healthcare at a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC). Methods: The 8-week QI initiative was implemented during clinic hours. A retrospective chart review was performed to compare baseline with post-initiative HIV screening rates for eligible patients who received care in Birmingham, Alabama, which was shown to be low. Then, a risk assessment questionnaire was administered before providing educational materials to improve screening rates among Black men at an urban multisite FQHC. Results: HIV screening rates among Black men increased after the two-part initiative (20% and 21%, respectively). Conclusions: This QI initiative demonstrated that HIV screening rates could increase with tailored provider-initiated interventions, including risk assessment and educational materials. Implications for Nursing: A DNP or other healthcare providers could use this project to inform the development of a larger-scale QI initiative at an FQHC to improve HIV screening rates for under-resourced populations.
