HIV testing among youth in a high-risk city: prevalence, predictors, and gender differences

Abstract

While HIV is prevalent among adolescents and young adults, testing levels remain low and little is known about gender differences in HIV testing. The objectives of the study were to describe the prevalence of past-year HIV testing, and evaluate associations between HIV testing and individual- and partner-level factors by gender among heterosexually experienced youth (15-24 years) in Baltimore, Maryland (N=352). Past-year HIV testing was prevalent (60.1%) and differed by gender (69.4% among women vs. 49.6% among men, p=0.005). For women, African American race (AOR 3.09), and recent older partner by <=2 years (AOR 4.04) were significantly associated with increased testing. Among men, only African American race was associated with increased testing (OR 4.23), with no patterns identified based on risk behavior or perceived partner risk. HIV testing among adolescent and young adults was prevalent in this highly affected urban area and provide direction for optimizing engagement in HIV testing.

Gender Differences in Predictors of HIV Testing Among African American Young Adults

“…African American young adults are more likely to have had an HIV test than young adults from other racial/ethnic groups [10]. In considering African American young adults only, several factors contribute to HIV testing.…”

“…These include demographic factors such as gender [10][11][12], attitudes and beliefs (e.g., HIV stigma, HIV knowledge, attitudes toward testing) [13], and HIV risky behaviors (e.g., consistent condom use, number of partners) [14]. African American women are more likely to have had an HIV test than African American men [10,15]. Greater knowledge of HIV is associated with higher testing rates [13].…”

Factores psicosociales asociados a la realización de la prueba diagnóstica del VIH en estudiantes universitarios colombianos

“…Otro factor reportado en investigaciones anteriores es la relación entre la realización de la prueba y la actitud hacia el VIH de los participantes (Espada et al, 2015;Morales et al, 2016). A diferencia de los resultados obtenidos en estudios previos (Belza et al, 2014;Bilardi et al, 2013;Bradley et al, 2011;Brooks et al, 2011;Decker et al, 2015;Deblonde et al, 2010;Espada et al, 2017;Fuster et al, 2014;Kaai et al, 2012), en esta investigación se encontró que la exposición a conductas de riesgo sexual y los conocimientos sobre la prueba del VIH estuvieron relacionados con una mayor realización de la misma, con un efecto medio para los conocimientos y pequeño para los riesgos sexuales. No obstante, en concordancia con los hallazgos de los estudios citados, no se identificó una relación entre las actitudes favorables hacia la prueba y su realización.…”

“…La baja percepción de riesgo, el desconocimiento de la enfermedad y el exceso de confianza en los compañeros sexuales son los principales factores de riesgo que diferentes estudios han asociado a la adquisición del VIH en esta población (Belza et al, 2014;Fuster et al, 2014;Hoyos et al, 2019;Morales, Espada & Orgilés, 2016;Peralta, Deeds, Hipszer & Ghalib, 2007). Además, se ha identificado que el estigma social vinculado al VIH incrementa las probabilidades de que los jóvenes con una alta percepción de riesgo desarrollen una mayor cantidad de conductas de evitación hacia la prueba (Decker et al, 2015;Espada, Escribano, Morales & Origlés, 2017;Fuster et al, 2014). Al respecto, García, Reyes y Caylà (2012) encontraron que la alta percepción de riesgo y el ofrecimiento de la prueba durante el embarazo fomentan que las mujeres se la realicen con más frecuencia que los hombres.…”

Gender Differences in Psychosocial Predictors of Sexual Activity and HIV Testing Among Youth in Kenya

“…Unfortunately, Nall et al ( 6 ) did not examine gender differences related to HIV testing intentions. In a study of HIV testing among heterosexual youth in an urban city in the US, Decker et al ( 7 ) found that young women (69.4%) were more likely to report HIV testing within the past year than young men (49.6%). Similarly, in a cross-sectional study of youth in SSA, young women were more likely to report HIV testing than young men ( 8 ).…”