Correlates of HIV Testing History Among Urban Youth Recruited Through Venue-Based Testing in 15 US Cities

Abstract

Background Adolescents and young adults comprise disproportionately high percentages of individuals living with HIV and those with undiagnosed HIV. Our objective was to determine factors associated with history of HIV testing and receipt of results among a sample of urban, high-risk, sexually active adolescents in 15 U.S. cities. Methods 20–30 sexually active youth, aged 12–24 years, were recruited to participate in an anonymous survey and HIV antibody testing at 2–3 venues per city identified by young men who have sex with men, young women of color, or intravenous drug users. Results Of the 1457 participants, 72% reported having been previously tested for HIV (89% of whom were aware of their test results). Our sample was diverse in terms of gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Factors found to be predictive of testing typically reflect high risk for HIV, except for some high risk partner characteristics, including having had a partner that made the youth have sex without a condom or had a partner with unknown HIV status. Factors associated with knowledge of serostatus are reported. HIV testing appears to be tied more to STI testing services than to primary care. Conclusions More strategies are needed that increase testing, including targeting partners of high-risk individuals, insuring receipt of test results, and increasing testing in primary care settings.

The Adolescent and Young Adult HIV Cascade of Care in the United States: Exaggerated Health Disparities

“…18 Demographic factors suggest that among adolescents and young adults, HIV testing is higher among females, 18,19 African American, 7,8,[18][19][20][21][22][23] and Latino/a 19,20,24 youth. Sexual factors associated with increased HIV testing among youth include having three or more sexual partners in the last three months, 21 ever having a sexually transmitted infection (STI), 21,25 inconsistent condom use, 21 substance use, 21 being a MSM or a female who had sex with a MSM, 7,8,19,[21][22][23][24] or having had sex with an HIV-infected partner. 21 Healthcarerelated factors associated with increased HIV testing among youth include those receiving Medicaid with a primary care physician who were recommended testing 20 or had any healthcare in the past year.…”

“…Sexual factors associated with increased HIV testing among youth include having three or more sexual partners in the last three months, 21 ever having a sexually transmitted infection (STI), 21,25 inconsistent condom use, 21 substance use, 21 being a MSM or a female who had sex with a MSM, 7,8,19,[21][22][23][24] or having had sex with an HIV-infected partner. 21 Healthcarerelated factors associated with increased HIV testing among youth include those receiving Medicaid with a primary care physician who were recommended testing 20 or had any healthcare in the past year. 21 A study of high-risk Latino and African American gang members in Los Angeles found that only 33% had prior HIV testing.…”

“…21 Healthcarerelated factors associated with increased HIV testing among youth include those receiving Medicaid with a primary care physician who were recommended testing 20 or had any healthcare in the past year. 21 A study of high-risk Latino and African American gang members in Los Angeles found that only 33% had prior HIV testing. 26 Many of these studies highlight that improving access and knowledge of HIV testing increases uptake among youth.…”

HIV Testing in Non-Injection Drug Users: Prevalence and Associated Factors

“…The questionnaire was constructed by the researchers and included variables derived from instruments previously validated in vulnerable populations (10,11,24,26,27,30,(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39) and other potential factors associated with HIV testing. The interviews were conducted by members of the study team who were professional experts in mental health and had been previously trained.…”

HIV Testing Characteristics Among Hispanic Adolescents

“…Findings on ethnic/racially diverse samples of adolescents suggest predictors of testing include sexual experience, high risk sexual behaviors, experience with same-gender partner, HIV-related partner communication, substance use, prior sexually transmitted infections testing, access to free testing services, availability of rapid testing methods, and confidential results [6][7][8][9][10]. To date, little is known about HIV testing among Hispanic adolescents despite the serious threat of HIV infection in the Hispanic community.…”