title: Factors associated with not testing for HIV and consistent condom use among men in Soweto, South Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Besides access to medical male circumcision, HIV testing, access to condoms and consistent condom use are additional strategies men can use to prevent HIV acquisition. We examine male behavior toward testing and condom use.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine factors associated with never testing for HIV and consistent condom use among men who never test in Soweto.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey in Soweto was conducted in 1539 men aged 18-32 years in 2007. Data were collected on socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics to determine factors associated with not testing and consistent condom use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over two thirds (71%) of men had not had an HIV test and the majority (55%, n = 602) were young (18-23). Of those not testing, condom use was poor (44%, n = 304). Men who were 18-23 years (aOR: 2.261, CI: 1.534-3.331), with primary (aOR: 2.096, CI: 1.058-4.153) or high school (aOR: 1.622, CI: 1.078-2.439) education, had sex in the last 6 months (aOR: 1.703, CI: 1.055-2.751), and had ≥1 sexual partner (aOR: 1.749, CI: 1.196-2.557) were more likely not to test. Of those reporting condom use (n = 1036, 67%), consistent condom use was 43% (n = 451). HIV testing did not correlate with condom use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low rates of both condom use and HIV testing among men in a high HIV prevalence setting are worrisome and indicate an urgent need to develop innovative behavioral strategies to address this shortfall. Condom use is poor in this population whether tested or not tested for HIV, indicating no association between condom use and HIV testing.
authors.affiliation: Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. sak-hile@live.com
authors.forename: Sakhile
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mhlongo
authors.forename: Janan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dietrich
authors.forename: Kennedy N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Otwombe
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Coates
authors.forename: Glenda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gray
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult