Barriers to HIV Testing Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM): Experiences from Clark County, Nevada

Abstract

Clark County, Nevada had a 52% increase in newly diagnosed HIV infections in young people age 13-24 with 83% of the new diagnoses in this age group being men who have sex with men (MSM). HIV testing and counseling is critical for HIV prevention, care and treatment, yet young people are the least likely to seek HIV testing. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators to HIV testing experienced by young MSM in Clark County, Nevada. We conducted a qualitative focus group discussion to identify barriers and facilitators to HIV testing among eleven young MSM in March, 2015. The primary barrier to HIV testing identified by the group was a lack of awareness or knowledge about testing for HIV. Other barriers within the person included: fear of results, fear of rejection, and fear of disclosure. Barriers identified within the environment included: access issues, stigma, and unfriendly test environments for young people. In addition to increasing awareness, intervention to increase HIV testing among MSM young people should incorporate access to testing in environments where the adolescents are comfortable and which reduces stigma. HIV testing sites should be convenient, accessible and young person/gay friendly.

Effect of a web drama video series on HIV and other sexually transmitted infection testing among gay, bisexual and queer men: study protocol for a community-based, pragmatic randomised controlled trial in Singapore: the People Like Us (PLU) Evaluation Study

“…Inclusion criteria for participants in this study include selfreporting at the point of recruitment (1) an HIV-negative status, or being unsure of one's HIV status; (2) being gay, bisexual or queer with regard to sexual orientation; (3) being of male gender, regardless of sex assigned at birth; (4) being 18-29 years old; (5) being a Singapore citizen or permanent resident; (6) and having never watched an online video drama series by Gayhealth. sg or AFA in the last year.…”

Experiences Receiving HIV-Positive Results by Phone: Acceptability and Implications for Clinical and Behavioral Research

“…Pertinent barriers to optimal HIV testing include concerns about the confidentiality of HIV testing in a healthcare facility [13], prevalence of HIV-related stigma [14], and fear of testing positive [15]. Further, healthcare access issues, including a lack of insurance or underinsurance [16,17], inadequate access to culturally competent primary care and/or testing facilities [18,19], and inadequate transportation act as structural barriers to HIV testing, particularly for low-income MSM across the U.S [18]. Additionally, geographic isolation or rurality is associated with significantly lower rates of HIV testing among MSM compared to urban populations [20].…”

“The right place and the right time”: A qualitative study of the decision‐making process of self‐initiated HIV testing among young adults

“…However, this basis for testing does not effectively reach young adults who are vulnerable to HIV infection, thereby not meeting their testing needs (Adebayo & Gonzalez‐Guarda, 2017; Van Handel et al, 2016). Young adults experience barriers like an inability to afford healthcare visits, fear of judgement, discrimination, and stigma that impede clinician‐initiated testing (Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC, 2019a; Marcell et al, 2017; Pharr, Lough, & Ezeanuolue, 2015). Furthermore, clinicians and young adults experience difficulties engaging in conversations about sexual orientation and sexual risk behaviors, which limit adequate assessment for HIV testing recommendations (Eisenberg, Lust, Mathiason, & Porta, 2017; Leonard et al, 2010; Marcell et al, 2017; Pharr et al, 2015).…”

“…Young adults experience barriers like an inability to afford healthcare visits, fear of judgement, discrimination, and stigma that impede clinician‐initiated testing (Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC, 2019a; Marcell et al, 2017; Pharr, Lough, & Ezeanuolue, 2015). Furthermore, clinicians and young adults experience difficulties engaging in conversations about sexual orientation and sexual risk behaviors, which limit adequate assessment for HIV testing recommendations (Eisenberg, Lust, Mathiason, & Porta, 2017; Leonard et al, 2010; Marcell et al, 2017; Pharr et al, 2015). The limitations of clinician‐initiated testing have led to missed opportunities for HIV testing among young adults (Lazar, Salas‐Humara, Wood, Mollen, & Dowshen, 2018; Leonard et al, 2010).…”

“…and young adults experience difficulties engaging in conversations about sexual orientation and sexual risk behaviors, which limit adequate assessment for HIV testing recommendations (Eisenberg, Lust, Mathiason, & Porta, 2017;Leonard et al, 2010;Marcell et al, 2017;Pharr et al, 2015). The limitations of clinician-initiated testing have led to missed opportunities for HIV testing among young adults (Lazar, Salas-Humara, Wood, Mollen, & Dowshen, 2018;Leonard et al, 2010).…”