HIV Testing Rates and Testing Locations, by Race and Ethnicity

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to report the HIV testing rates among white Americans, African Americans, and Hispanic Americans and to identify the frequency of use of HIV testing locations according to a variety of sociodemographic variables. Data for this study came from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Participants in the BRFSS were recruited from residential households in the United States through an ongoing, random-digit-dial telephone survey. Results showed that 40 percent of all participants had been tested for HIV and that HIV testing rates significantly differed by racial-ethnic group. Gender and income were not significant factors for HIV testing rates among African Americans. Marital status was not a significant factor for Hispanics. Overall, 41 percent of the sample had been tested at a private doctor's office or HMO facility, and 24 percent had been tested at a clinic. Hispanics were the only group more likely to have been tested at a clinic. Recommendations for increasing rates of testing among all racial-ethnic groups based on testing locations are explored. Implications of the findings that certain racial-ethnic groups are reporting higher rates of HIV testing and higher rates of new HIV infections are discussed.

Monitoring HIV testing in diverse healthcare settings: results from a sentinel surveillance pilot study

“…There is currently little discussion in published reports of HIV testing surveillance, although one behavioural survey from the USA identified differences in self-reported HIV testing rates and locations according to ethnicity 14. We feel that this paucity of data reflects a gap in current surveillance activities which this study has made an important first step towards addressing.…”

Correlates of Having Never Been HIV Tested among Entrants to Substance Abuse Treatment Clinics: Empiric Findings from Real-World New England Settings

“…Hispanic females, however, have higher testing rates than Hispanic males and white females (Robinson et al, 2012; Rountree et al, 2009). Income and education have also been positively associated with HIV testing in some studies (Robinson et al, 2012; Rountree et al, 2009), but not others (Petroll et al, 2008). …”

“…Age, for example, impacts the likelihood of being HIV tested, with younger individuals, especially those under age 24, being least often tested (Anderson, Chandra, & Mosher, 2005; CDC, 2011; Robinson, Sanders, & Boyd, 2012; Rountree, Chen, & Brown, 2009). African Americans account for nearly half of all new HIV infections (Hall et al, 2008; Prejean et al, 2011) and are a primary focus for HIV testing efforts; as a result, African Americans are more likely to undergo testing than Whites or Hispanics (Anderson et al, 2005; CDC, 2008; Robinson et al, 2012; Rountree et al, 2009). African American males undergo HIV testing more frequently than males of other racial/ethnic groups, and also at higher rates than white females (Robinson et al, 2012; Rountree et al, 2009).…”

“…African Americans account for nearly half of all new HIV infections (Hall et al, 2008; Prejean et al, 2011) and are a primary focus for HIV testing efforts; as a result, African Americans are more likely to undergo testing than Whites or Hispanics (Anderson et al, 2005; CDC, 2008; Robinson et al, 2012; Rountree et al, 2009). African American males undergo HIV testing more frequently than males of other racial/ethnic groups, and also at higher rates than white females (Robinson et al, 2012; Rountree et al, 2009). Hispanic females, however, have higher testing rates than Hispanic males and white females (Robinson et al, 2012; Rountree et al, 2009).…”

“…African American males undergo HIV testing more frequently than males of other racial/ethnic groups, and also at higher rates than white females (Robinson et al, 2012; Rountree et al, 2009). Hispanic females, however, have higher testing rates than Hispanic males and white females (Robinson et al, 2012; Rountree et al, 2009). Income and education have also been positively associated with HIV testing in some studies (Robinson et al, 2012; Rountree et al, 2009), but not others (Petroll et al, 2008).…”