title: Why take an HIV test? Concerns, benefits, and strategies to promote HIV testing among low-income heterosexual African American young adults.
abstract: A qualitative study examined perceptions of HIV testing and strategies to enhance HIV testing among HIV-negative African American heterosexual young adults (ages 18-25 years). Twenty-six focus groups (13 male groups, 13 female groups) were conducted in two low-income communities (urban and rural). All sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data analysis was completed using AnSWR software. Many participants expressed that learning one's HIV status, regardless of the result, was a benefit of taking an HIV test because this was perceived to produce emotional relief. Additional benefits included the avoidance of unknowingly spreading the virus, being offered treatment access if HIV-positive, and taking time to assess and modify risky sexual behaviors if HIV-negative. If diagnosed HIV-positive, HIV testing concerns included the recognition of one's mortality, the experience of social stigma, and concerns about accessing affordable treatment. Recommended promotion strategies included the use of HIV-positive individuals, pop culture icons, and the media to promote HIV testing messages.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention-Surveillance and Epidemiology, National Center for HIV/STID, and TB Prevention, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. wallaces@stjohns.edu
authors.forename: Scyatta A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McLellan-Lemal
authors.forename: Muriel J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Tiffany G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Townsend
authors.forename: Kim S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011204:Poverty Areas; D036301:Qualitative Research; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult