Rapid HIV voluntary counselling and testing (RVCT) is an alternative method of standard HIV voluntary counselling and testing (SVCT). Less is known about whether RVCT improves the reception rate of HIV test result among clients who seek HIV counselling and testing. We aimed to evaluate effectiveness of RVCT on reception rate.

Comprehensive search of databases containing Medline, EBSCO, Web of science, and Cochrane library was conducted to identify studies published up to August 2012. Reviewers extracted information independently. Risk of bias was evaluated with Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing study quality.

Five RCTs were included and analysed for the reception rate using random-effects model. The pooled reception rate of HIV test results in the RVCT was significantly higher than in the SVCT (RR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.47–2.07).

Our study recommended RVCT as a favourable method to increase the receipt of HIV test result. Only two included studies assessed the modification of risk behaviour after HIV-CT in a different manner; also, the sample size was small in the current meta-analysis. In future research, it is necessary to confirm the effect of RVCT on disinhibition of post-test risk behaviour.