Psychosocial impact of repeat HIV-negative testing: a follow-up study.
Continued sexual risk behavior following repeatedly testing HIV-negative in the Polaris HIV Seroconversion Study (Ontario, Canada) led to this follow-up study which identifies the impact of repeat negative testing among 64 men and women. Repeat HIV-negative testing frequently results in confusion as to what constitutes risk and occasionally to thoughts of HIV immunity. Narrative accounts include beliefs that monogamy constitutes safety from HIV, that psychosocial factors other than repeatedly testing negative leads to risk, and that sexual risk reduction is unsustainable. In conclusion, the repeat negative test experience for some neither clarifies risk behavior nor reinforces sustained risk reduction.
Ryder
Karen
K
HIV Social, Behavioural and Epidemiological Studies Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 5th Floor Health Science Building, 155 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7, Canada. kryder@interlog.com
Haubrich
Dennis J
DJ
Callà
Domenico
D
Myers
Ted
T
Burchell
Ann N
AN
Calzavara
Liviana
L
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011584:Psychology; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior