title: HIV testing among youth in a high-risk city: prevalence, predictors, and gender differences.
abstract: While HIV is prevalent among adolescents and young adults, testing levels remain low and little is known about gender differences in HIV testing. The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence of past-year HIV testing and evaluate associations between HIV testing and individual- and partner-level factors by gender among heterosexually experienced youth (15-24 years) in Baltimore, Maryland (N = 352). Past-year HIV testing was prevalent (60.1%) and differed by gender (69.4% among women vs. 49.6% among men, p = 0.005). For women, African-American race (AOR 3.09) and recent older partner by ≤2 years (AOR 4.04) were significantly associated with testing. Among men, only African-American race was associated with testing (OR 4.23), with no patterns identified based on risk behavior or perceived partner risk. HIV testing among adolescent and young adults was prevalent in this highly affected urban area. Findings emphasize the value of a gender lens, and provide direction for optimizing engagement in HIV testing.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Population, Family & Reproductive Health , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA.
authors.forename: Michele R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Decker
authors.forename: Ria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodney
authors.forename: Shang-En
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Jacky M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.forename: Jon M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ellen
authors.forename: Susan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Sherman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV testing; adolescent; gender differences