title: Young women's views on testing for sexually transmitted infections and HIV as a risk reduction strategy in mutual and choice-restricted relationships.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify relationship dynamics that influences the use of STI/HIV testing among young, urban African American women.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Increasing STI/HIV testing is a key prevention strategy, but more research is needed to identify barriers to testing for young women such as intimate partner violence (IPV).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted with African American women ages 18-24. Content analysis was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women in choice-restricted relationships were unable to negotiate safer sex practices and testing was viewed as the best option. Women in relationships where the desire to use condoms was mutual used STI and HIV testing as a sign of trust building that preceded unprotected sex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  STI/HIV testing must be viewed as one strategy within a package of possible risk reduction. For those in choice-restricted relationships, clinicians should screen patients for partner abuse and provide additional support and referrals as clinically appropriate.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: teitelm@nursing.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Teitelman
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: julcalhoun28@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Calhoun
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: redu@nursing.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.affiliation: Treatment Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA. Electronic address: ywashio@tresearch.org.
authors.forename: Yukiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Washio
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: mcdougallr0429@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Renee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McDougal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008393:Marriage; D008403:Mass Screening; D010465:Perception; D060728:Reproductive Health; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV; Partner abuse; Prevention; STDs; Sexual behavior; Women