title: HIV testing among sexually active Hispanic/Latino MSM in Miami-Dade County and New York City: opportunities for increasing acceptance and frequency of testing.
abstract: HIV testing behavior is important in understanding the high rates of undiagnosed infection among Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men (MSM). Correlates of repeat/recent testing (within the past year and ≥5 tests during lifetime) and test avoidance (never or >5 years earlier) were examined among 608 sexually active Hispanic/Latino MSM (Miami-Dade County and New York City). Those who reported repeat/recent testing were more likely to have incomes over $30,000, speak English predominately, and have visited and disclosed same-sex behavior to a health care provider (HCP) in the past year. Those who were classified as test avoiders were less likely to have incomes over $10,000 and to have seen an HCP in the past year. The main reason for not testing (in both groups) was fear of HIV positivity; however, twice as many test avoiders considered this their main reason, and more test avoiders had confidentiality concerns. Results suggest that messages to encourage testing among Hispanic/Latino MSM may be most effective if past testing patterns and reasons for not testing are considered. HCPs can play an important role by consistently offering HIV tests to MSM and tailoring messages based on prior testing histories.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA HJoseph1@cdc.gov.
authors.forename: Heather A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Belcher
authors.affiliation: Education Development Center, Waltham, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.affiliation: Nova Southeastern University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: M Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Pilgrim S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Spikes
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Flores
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D030881:Disclosure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV/AIDS; LGBT; Latino; behavior change; minority health; sexual health; social marketing/health communication