Prevalence and correlates of HIV testing in a multi-site sample of young men who have sex with men.
This study assessed HIV testing among 2,621 urban young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Of these, 77% were men of colour, 30% reported recent unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), 22% had never tested for HIV and 71% had not tested recently. Ever testing was associated with older age (OR=1.28), being employed (OR=1.34), exposure to more types of HIV preventions (linear trend p=0.02), sex with a main partner (OR=1.92), sex with a non-main partner (OR=1.36), UAI with a non-main partner (OR=0.53), UAI in the last three months (OR=1.32), knowing a comfortable place for testing (OR=5.44) and social support (OR=1.47). Rates of ever testing increased with behavioural risk with main partners; rates were lowest for men reporting high-risk with non-main partners. Recent testing was associated with greater numbers of HIV-prevention exposures (linear trend p = <0.001), sex with a main partner (OR=1.30), knowing a comfortable place for testing (OR=2.31) and social support (OR=1.23). Findings underscore the urgency of promoting testing among YMSM, point to components for the recruitment and retention of young MSM of colour in testing programmes and highlight the need for a theory-based approach to intervention development.
Sumartojo
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National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. ems2@cdc.gov
Lyles
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C
Choi
K
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Clark
L
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Collins
C
C
Grey
C Guenther
CG
Lin
L S
LS
Peterson
J L
JL
Remafedi
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G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015438:Health Behavior; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires