title: Social support as a predictor of HIV testing in at-risk populations: a research note.
abstract: This paper examines the relationship between social support and the probability of getting tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among at-risk adults in the United States. According to the literature, social support is one mechanism through which social capital is purported to work. Several studies have hypothesized that social capital influences public health, including HIV or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) case rates and behaviors related to contracting HIV. In this analysis, I use social support as an individual level measure of social capital and examine its influence on a protective behavior, getting tested for HIV. The relationship of social capital and social support to behaviors related to HIV is relevant to the design and implementation of HIV prevention programs.
authors.affiliation: Rutgers University, Newark, USA.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grosso
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult