title: Motivators and barriers for HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Sweden.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore motivators and barriers to HIV testing and to assess the factors associated with testing among men who have sex with men.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Previous research has considered fear, worries and structural barriers as hindrances to HIV testing among men who have sex with men. However, few studies have included assessments of actual HIV testing when exploring barriers or motivators for such testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  The design of the study was a stratified cross-sectional online survey (n = 2373).
  
  
  METHODS
  Factor analysis was conducted to analyse the barriers and motivators for HIV testing. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess predictors for HIV testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many men who have sex with men test for HIV regularly, and specific reasons for testing were having unprotected sex or starting/ending a relationship. A lack of awareness and a perception of being at low risk for exposure were common reasons for never being tested. Fear and anxiety as well as barriers related to the use of test services remain important hindrances for testing. Predictors associated with having been tested within the past 12 months were: younger age (15-25 years old compared with 47+); knowledge on where to take an HIV test on short notice as well as having talked with a counsellor, having received condoms for free, or having had unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners within the last 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Easily accessible test services offering testing and counselling on short notice should be available for all men who have sex with men. Outreach activities, distribution of free condoms and testing at venues where men who have sex with men meet are important prevention add-ons that can contribute to increased awareness about HIV and testing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Test services must ensure confidentiality and health care professionals who meet men who have sex with men for testing need competency with regards to men who have sex with men sexual health needs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.|Department of Knowledge Development, Unit for Health and Sexuality, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kristina Ingemarsdotter
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Persson
authors.affiliation: Department of Monitoring and Evaluation, Unit for Epidemiology and Health Economics, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden.
authors.forename: Torsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Berglund
authors.affiliation: Department of Monitoring and Evaluation, Unit for Statistics and Surveillance, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden.
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bergström
authors.affiliation: Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Unit for Medical Management Centre/Innovative Care, Karolinska Institutet, Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.|Nursing Division, School of Health Sciences, City University London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Lars E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.affiliation: Department Social Work, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ronny
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tikkanen
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thorson
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Birger C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Forsberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV testing; HIV testing barriers; HIV testing motivators; factor analysis; men who have sex with men