Promoting HIV testing among never-tested Hispanic men: a doctor's recommendation may suffice.
This study examined factors associated with HIV testing intentions among a community sample of 255 never-tested Hispanic men. It compared (1) men who intended to test in the next 6 months with those who did not and (2) men who intended to test only on the day of the interview with those who intended to test in the next 6 months. Eighty-four percent of men had never been offered testing. Yet, 86% would accept testing if recommended by their doctor. The strongest multivariate predictor of testing intention was willingness to accept a physician-endorsed test. Almost 49% of men who intended to test in the next 6 months would only do so if the test were offered on the interview day. These findings highlight the importance of encouraging physicians, particularly in high-prevalence areas, to routinely recommend testing. They also suggest that for some men, there is a window of opportunity for testing that does not endure.
Behavioral Health Promotion Program (D-93), Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami School of Medicine, PO Box 016069, Miami, Florida. Isa@Miami.edu
M Isabel
MI
Fernández
G Stephen
GS
Bowen
Tatiana
T
Perrino
Scott
S
Royal
Tiffany
T
Mattson
Kristopher L
KL
Arheart
Sylvia
S
Cohn
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011315:Preventive Medicine