title: Predictors of HIV testing among men who have sex with men: a focus on men living outside major urban centres in Canada.
abstract: Men who have sex with men (MSM) represent almost half of new HIV infections in Canada each year. However, the vast majority of research on HIV testing among MSM has been conducted in major urban centres. The present study addressed this gap by investigating HIV testing behaviour and predictors of HIV testing among MSM living outside major urban centres, in the Interior of British Columbia. An anonymous online survey of 153 MSM assessed HIV testing behaviour and psychosocial factors that may impact HIV testing (internalized homophobia, disclosure to healthcare providers (HCPs) of same sex attraction, and gay community involvement). Almost one-quarter (24%) had never been tested and over one-third (35%) had not disclosed same sex attraction to HCPs. Internalized homophobia was associated with a lower likelihood of HIV testing, and this relationship was partially explained by the fact that those high in internalized homophobia were less likely to disclose same sex attraction to their HCPs. Neither formal nor informal involvement in the gay community was related to HIV testing, and both types of involvement were relatively low in our sample. Further research is needed to better understand the distinctive health issues facing MSM living outside major urban centres.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of British Columbia , Kelowna , BC , Canada.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holtzman
authors.affiliation: b HIV North , Grande Prairie , AB , Canada.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Landis
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of British Columbia , Kelowna , BC , Canada.
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: c School of Kinesiology , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , BC , Canada.
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Puterman
authors.affiliation: d Kelowna Community Development Society , Kelowna , BC , Canada.
authors.forename: Daryle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: e Living Positive Resource Centre , Kelowna , BC , Canada.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saya-Moore
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001955:British Columbia; D002170:Canada; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D030881:Disclosure; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006306:Health Surveys; D063509:Homophobia / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Canada; HIV testing; disclosure; internalized homophobia; men who have sex with men