HIV testing among at-risk adolescents and young adults: a prospective analysis of a community sample.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about predictors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing among sexually active adolescents, who account for a large proportion of new HIV infections. This study sought to determine predictors of HIV testing among a large community-based sample of adolescents in three cities who had recent unprotected sexual intercourse.


METHODS
Sexually active adolescents (N = 1222) completed baseline and 3-month assessments of sexual behavior, substance use and HIV testing behaviors as part of a larger, multi-site, brief HIV prevention program.


RESULTS
Approximately half of the adolescents reported having previously been tested for HIV, and of those one third were tested in the next 3 months without a specific intervention. Adolescents who received HIV testing were more likely at baseline to have ever been tested, to have a STI diagnosis, to have not used substances during sex and to have been assertive about condom use with a partner.


CONCLUSIONS
Health care models encouraging more widespread, universal testing may be an important public health initiative to curb the spread of HIV. Regular HIV screenings provide an opportunity to enhance awareness of behavioral risk and HIV status, as well as provide opportunities for early detection and care.
Tolou-Shams
Marina
M
Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA.
Payne
Nanetta
N
Houck
Christopher
C
Pugatch
David
D
Beausoleil
Nancy
N
Brown
Larry K
LK
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003153:Community Health Services; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D005845:Georgia; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012237:Rhode Island; D012309:Risk-Taking; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014504:Urban Health