‘Getting Checked and Having the Test’: Drug Injectors’ Perceptions of HIV Testing – Findings from Qualitative Research Conducted in England

Abstract

If HIV and AIDS policy initiatives are to be successful in tackling the spread of infection it is important to understand more about the ways in which people perceive HIV and AIDS. HIV testing is a policy initiative that will work when people take the test and make appropriate changes to their behaviour as a result. This paper is based on a study that used in-depth interviews and a vignette with drug injectors to explore drug injectors’ perceptions of HIV risk outside and inside prison. HIV testing was an integral part of drug injectors’ perceptions of risk. Three main themes emerged from the analysis of these data: first, reasons for not taking a test; second, reasons for taking a test; and third, the impact of testing upon subsequent behaviour. The paper ends with a summary and conclusions highlighting implications for future research and policy development.

Barriers and facilitators of hepatitis C screening among people who inject drugs: a multi-city, mixed-methods study

“…Study participants reported a range of beliefs related to HCV testing, many of which are consistent with previous work on HIV and HCV testing [20-23]. Fear of a positive test result played a role in the decision of many respondents who were resistant to testing.…”

Experiential learning of HIV self-test among student nurses: A qualitative study

“…Before the self-test, participants reflected on their own HIV-related risk behaviors. This finding mirrors previous research on men who have sex with men (MSM) and injection drug users performing HIV self-tests (Middelthon and Aggleton, 2001;Hughes, 2002). Although student nurses had received education on basic HIV knowledge, some perceived a number of non-risky behaviors as possible sources of HIV infection, such as sharing a drink with others or going to crowded places.…”

Barriers and Facilitators to Undergoing Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Testing through Drug Treatment Programs

“…With such a large proportion of patients that did not utilize the opportunity for HCV testing, an examination of the barriers to capitalizing on HCV testing availability is of great importance. Our examination identified several primarily personal (rather than program level) barriers that are similar to those identified as barriers to both HIV testing and to peer delivered HCV testing at a needle exchange program (Aitken et al, 2002;Downing et al, 2001;Flaskerud & Thompson, 1991;Hughes, 2002;Inungu, 2002;Kellerman et al, 2002;Rhodes et al, 2004;Riess et al, 2001;Siegel et al, 1998;Spielberg et al, 2003 ;Spielberg, Kurth, Gorbach, & Goldbaum, 2001;Vermund & Wilson, 2002;Worthington & Myers, 2002).…”

“…Some of these barriers may be similar to those that keep vulnerable patients from testing for HIV. Patient identified barriers to HIV testing include: not viewing themselves at risk for the virus; fear of learning that they have HIV infection; fear of rejection or blame; lack of guarantees of confidentiality; dislike (or fear) of needles (especially if they injected drugs and have veins that are difficult to access); inability to pay for the test; distrust of medical professionals; disrespectful treatment at the testing site; and fall 2008 inconvenience of the testing site (Downing et al, 2001;Flaskerud & Thompson, 1991;Hughes, 2002;Inungu, 2002;Kellerman et al, 2002;Rhodes, Davis, & Judd, 2004;Riess, Kim, & Downing, 2001;Siegel, Raveis, & Gorey, 1998;Spielberg et al, 2003 ;Spielberg, Kurth, Gorbach, & Goldbaum, 2001;Vermund & Wilson, 2002;Worthington & Myers, 2002). Noteworthy is the fact that the specific reasons cited for declining HIV testing vary according to the type of sites from which respondents are recruited (e.g., needle exchange programs, sexually transmitted disease [STD] clinics, drug treatment programs) and the type of at-risk individuals interviewed (e.g., IDUs, STD clients, men who have sex with men ([MSM], Kellerman et al, 2002;Spielberg et al, 2003 ;Spielberg, Kurth, Gorbach, & Goldbaum, 2001).…”