HIV Testing Among Sexually Active Hispanic/Latino MSM in Miami-Dade County and New York City

Abstract

HIV testing behavior is important in understanding the high rates of undiagnosed infection among Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men (MSM). Correlates of repeat/recent testing (within the past year and ≥5 tests during lifetime) and test avoidance (never or >5 years earlier) were examined among 608 sexually active Hispanic/Latino MSM (Miami-Dade County and New York City). Those who reported repeat/recent testing were more likely to have incomes over $30,000, speak English predominately, and have visited and disclosed same-sex behavior to a health care provider (HCP) in the past year. Those who were classified as test avoiders were less likely to have incomes over $10,000 and to have seen an HCP in the past year. The main reason for not testing (in both groups) was fear of HIV positivity; however, twice as many test avoiders considered this their main reason, and more test avoiders had confidentiality concerns. Results suggest that messages to encourage testing among Hispanic/Latino MSM may be most effective if past testing patterns and reasons for not testing are considered. HCPs can play an important role by consistently offering HIV tests to MSM and tailoring messages based on prior testing histories.

Place and practice: Sexual risk behaviour while travelling abroad among Swedish men who have sex with men

“…It has been possible to test for HIV since the mid-1980s 166 , and since the 1990s, studies on barriers to HIV testing have been conducted. Our factor analysis of barriers to HIV testing among MSM confirmed in many ways previous study findings showing that fear and anxiety 101,167 as well as structural factors specifically for subgroups of MSM [168][169][170] remain hindrances for testing. Stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV exist and many people living with HIV in Sweden report feelings of hopelessness and experiencing not being able to be open about having HIV 143,171 .…”

Correlates of HIV and STI testing among Latino men who have sex with men in New York City

“…Triangulation of data from the survey and focus groups reinforced the need for greater attention to HIV/STI risk in this population, particularly younger and/or Spanish-speaking individuals, who are less likely to get tested in spite of being disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic in major urban centers. Predictors of STI testing that approached significance in this study might reach significance in subsequent research with larger samples (Joseph et al, 2014). …”

“…Several unique factors have also been associated with HIV and STI testing among Latino MSM, including low levels of acculturation to U.S. culture, perceived impediments from the healthcare system, and low socioeconomic status (Joseph et al, 2014;Oster et al, 2013). The purpose of this study was to further explore sociodemographic, personal, and behavioral factors associated with HIV/STI testing among a demographically diverse group of Latino MSM living in New York City.…”

HIV testing in a large community health center serving a multi-cultural patient population: A qualitative study of providers

“…Despite the care that may be taken by hospital systems and providers to maintain confidentiality of test results, particularly in a growing electronic medical age, these concerns continue to inform patient acceptability of HIV testing (Joseph et al, 2014;White et al, 2015). We found that providers feared that patients, especially those belonging to tightly knit ethnic groups, would be wary of HIV testing due to privacy concerns.…”