Heterosexual behavioral maintenance and change following HIV counseling and testing.
This study investigated heterosexual HIV risk behaviors, changes in stage of change for safer sex and factors associated with such changes, among a diverse sample of 560 heterosexually active individuals presenting at publicly funded HIV C&T sites. Questionnaires were administrated before HIV C&T, and three months afterwards. Positive serostatus was the most significant predictor of safer behavior after C&T. Many seronegative participants stopped sex with non-main partners. Behaviors with main partners were particularly resistant to change. Predictors of change varied by stage at pre-test. C&T services should tailor approaches and referrals based on stage of change and other client characteristics.
Amaro
Hortensia
H
Institute on Urban Health Research, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntingdon Avenue, Stearns Center, Suite 503, Boston University, MA 02115, USA. h.armaro@neu.edu
Morrill
Allison C
AC
Dai
Jianyu
J
Cabral
Howard
H
Raj
Anita
A
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000635:transmission; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires