Motivations to Test for HIV Among Partners in Concordant HIV-Negative and HIV-Discordant Gay Male Couples

Abstract

Previous studies of HIV testing among gay men describe the motivations, facilitators and barriers, behaviors, and demographic characteristics of individuals who test. What little research focuses on HIV testing among gay men in relationships shows that they do not test regularly or, in some cases, at all – their motivations to test have not been investigated. With so little data on HIV testing for this population, and the continued privileging of individually-focused approaches, gay men in relationships fall into a blind spot of research and prevention efforts. This study examined motivations to test for HIV using qualitative data from both partners in 20 gay male couples. Analysis revealed that the partners’ motivations were either event-related (e.g., participants testing the beginning of their relationship or HIV-negative participants in an HIV-discordant relationship testing after risky episode with their discordant primary partner) or partner-related (e.g., participants testing in response to a request or suggestion to test from their primary partner or participants testing out of concern for their primary partner’s health and wellbeing). These data provide insight into relationship-oriented motivations to test for HIV for gay men in relationships and, in doing so, demonstrates their commitment to their primary partner and relationship. These motivations can be leveraged to increase HIV testing among gay men in relationships, a population that tests less often than single gay men, yet, until recently, has been underserved by prevention efforts.

Decisions About Testing for HIV While in a Relationship: Perspectives From an Urban, Convenience Sample of HIV-Negative Male Couples Who Have a Sexual Agreement

“…Many partnered men viewed testing as a way of self assurance [to know their status] while others thought certain dynamics of their relationship may impede them from getting tested (e.g., trust, reliance and assumption on partner). Similar findings from other studies have recently been reported (Beougher et al, 2015; Mitchell & Horvath, 2013). For instance, Beougher and colleagues (2015) described some male couples motivations to test for HIV were partner-related, and that some partnered men would not test for HIV due to some of the dynamics that were present in their relationship (e.g., trust and intimacy).…”

“…Similar findings from other studies have recently been reported (Beougher et al, 2015; Mitchell & Horvath, 2013). For instance, Beougher and colleagues (2015) described some male couples motivations to test for HIV were partner-related, and that some partnered men would not test for HIV due to some of the dynamics that were present in their relationship (e.g., trust and intimacy). They argued for the need to help both partners of the couple shift their attitudes about HIV testing toward a shared, interdependent (i.e., “we”) decision to test instead of viewing it as a one-sided decision to test.…”

“…However, partners with higher levels of trustworthiness were more likely to have never been tested for HIV, suggesting that they may rely on their partners to motivate them to get tested or may deem testing as a violation of trust in their relationship (Mitchell & Horvath, 2013). In addition, Beougher et al (2015) recently described motivations to test for HIV and associated behaviors among a sample of male couples, and noted their motivations to test were either event-related (i.e., testing after risky sexual behavior) or partner-related (i.e., testing as a response to partner’s request to get tested), suggesting that motivations to test may alter and/or depend on the dynamics between the two partners and the situations that arise while being in the relationship. These few studies indicate that different motivators may impact the frequency in which partnered men and male couples test for HIV.…”

A longitudinal study of persistent smoking among HIV-positive gay and bisexual men in primary relationships

“…Interested individuals contacted study staff for more information on the study. Men were eligible for the study if they met the following criteria: (1) in a primary relationship, which was defined as “currently (for at least 3 months) in a relationship with someone you feel committed to above anyone else and with whom you have had a sexual relationship,” which is the definition used in many couples-based HIV prevention studies (Beougher et al, 2015; Mitchell & Sullivan, 2015); (2) at least one partner in the relationship is HIV-positive and on an acknowledged ART regimen for at least 30 days; (3) at least 18 years old; (4) born male and currently identify as male; (5) English-speaking; and (6) able and willing to provide informed consent.…”

Gay and Bisexual Men’s Perceptions of HIV Risk in Various Relationships

“…Given these findings about MSM sexual relationships, prevention research has progressed toward a focus on couple-based interventions for male–male primary partnerships ( Beougher et al, 2015 ; Duncan, Prestage, & Grierson, 2015 ; Gamarel, Comfort, Wood, Neilands, & Johnson, 2015 ; Stephenson et al, 2015 ). Couple-based interventions allow for the tailoring of individually efficacious behavioral and biomedical interventions to the needs and preferences of the couple ( Crepaz, Tungol-Ashmon, Vosburgh, Baack, & Mullins, 2015 ).…”