title: HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM): systematic review of qualitative evidence.
abstract: We conducted a systematic review of qualitative evidence relating to the views and attitudes of men who have sex with men (MSM) concerning testing for HIV. Studies conducted in high-income countries (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development members) since 1996 were included. Seventeen studies were identified, most of gay or bisexual men. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis methodology. The uncertainty of unknown HIV status is an important motive for testing; however, denial is also a common response to uncertainty. Fear of the consequences of a positive HIV test is widespread and may take several forms. A sense of responsibility towards oneself or one's partner may be a motive for testing. The perception of stigma, from other gay men or from the wider culture, is a barrier to testing. Gay and other MSM have clear preferences regarding testing services, particularly for those that are community based, include non-judgemental and gay-positive service providers, and offer a high degree of confidentiality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of London, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK. theo.lorenc@lshtm.ac.uk
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lorenc
authors.forename: Isaac
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Marrero-Guillamón
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Llewellyn
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aggleton
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: Catriona
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lindsay
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012941:Social Responsibility; D057545:Social Stigma