title: HIV testing patterns among urban YMSM of color.
abstract: The heightened level of risk for HIV infection among Black and Latino young men who have sex with men (YMSM) is driven by multilevel influences. Using cross-sectional data, we examined HIV testing patterns among urban YMSM of color in a high-HIV seroprevalence area (ages 16 to 21 years). Self-reported frequency of testing was high, with 42% of youth reporting testing at a greater frequency than recommended guidelines. There were no differences between less frequent and more frequent testers on sexual risk behaviors. Most (80%) youth cited reassurance of HIV-negative status as a reason for testing. Further, over half of the sample reported numerous other reasons for HIV testing, which spanned individual, partner, social, and structural levels of influence. Approximately half of respondents indicated that peers, family members, and counselors influenced their motivation to get tested. Of concern, their first HIV test occurred approximately 2 years after their first sexual experience with another male. These results indicate the need to consider developmental issues as well as comprehensive, multilevel efforts to ensure that YMSM of color test at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended frequency but not less than this or too frequently.
authors: New York University, New York, NY, USA nrl4@nyu.edu.
authors: Noelle R
authors: NR
authors: Leonard
authors: Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Sonali
authors: S
authors: Rajan
authors: New York University, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Marya V
authors: MV
authors: Gwadz
authors: Epilepsy Foundation, Landover, MD, USA.
authors: Temi
authors: T
authors: Aregbesola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008603:Mental Health; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D014481:United States; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: African American; Black; HIV testing; Latino; YMSM; adolescent; men who have sex with men; urban