OBJECTIVES: The Barriers to Testing Project, funded by the CDC, aims to identify segments of the population at risk for HIV infection who have never been tested for HIV or who have not re-tested in the past 12 months.
METHODS: In Philadelphia, a two-stage sampling procedure is used to recruit and interview 1600 persons at risk for HIV due to drug use or sexual risk behavior in 8 ZIP code areas with large numbers of AIDS cases.
RESULTS: Preliminary analysis of 421 interviews indicates that 23% had never had an HIV test and an additional 35% had not been tested in the last 12 months. Predictors of ever having a test, as indicated by logistic regression, were: ever using injection drugs (odds ratio OR=3.7), having given birth to a child after 1984 (OR=2.9), high health efficacy (OR=1.9) and not living with a parent (OR=2.6). Predictors of having a test in the past 12 months included: receiving income from welfare (OR=1.6), being 18-24 years of age (OR=2.5), and high health efficacy (OR=2.1). Perceived risk for HIV, educational attainment and gender were not related to either measure of HIV testing.
CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of the target population is not getting tested despite continued risk. Persons with risk factors other than injection drug use are especially unlikely to have been tested and should be the focus of targeted interventions. Messages to boost health efficacy should emphasize the positive steps that HIV infected individuals can take to improve their lives.
Learning Objectives: During this presentation participants will: 1. understand the importance of studying HIV testing and retesting behavior. 2. learn about rates of HIV testing and retesting 3. identify demographic, health and risk factors related to ever getting an HIV test and to getting a test in the last 12 months
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Community Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.