Psychosocial correlates of HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Italy: a cross-sectional study

Prati, Gabriele; Breveglieri, Michele; Lelleri, Raffaele; Furegato, Martina; Gios, Lorenzo; Pietrantoni, Luca

doi:10.1177/0956462413515193

Cited by 19 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Finally, being diagnosed with one or more STI was also associated with being diagnosed with HIV and decreased the chance that MSM had never been tested for HIV. These factors are largely in line with previous studies using EMIS data [ 18 , 19 , 24 ]. In addition, being tested for HIV (and especially being tested positive) increased the risk of being diagnosed with STI.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…In the future, we plan to compare additional variables of EMIS and SMON, which were omitted in the current study because they were unavailable in SOAP. It will be possible to look at other psychosocial factors, such as unsafe anal intercourse with steady and casual partners, knowledge, and beliefs [ 18 , 19 , 24 ]. Besides limitations of overlap between the databases, strengths of this research are in the sample sizes of all three databases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparing databases: determinants of sexually transmitted infections, HIV diagnoses, and lack of HIV testing among men who have sex with men

et al. 2015

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BackgroundEarly detection and treatment of STI/HIV are public health priorities. Our objective was to compare characteristics of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Dutch data available in 2010 from EMIS, an international internet survey, Schorer Monitor, a Dutch internet survey, and data from STI- clinic visits, since these might be subject to different and unknown biases.MethodsData from Dutch MSM Internet Surveys (EMISNLN = 3,787; Schorer Monitor, SMON N = 3,602), and 3,800 STI clinic visits (SOAP) were combined into one dataset. We included factors that were measured in all three databases. The socio-demographics included were age (at the time of the survey), zip code, and ethnicity. Behavioural variables included were the number of sexual partners, condom use with last sexual partner, drug use, being diagnosed with STI, being diagnosed with HIV, and HIV testing. Outcomes we investigated were being diagnosed with STI, HIV, and never been tested for HIV.ResultsLogistic regressions showed that determinants for being diagnosed with STI were having more sexual partners, drug use, and having had an HIV test (aORs 1.3 to 17.1) in EMIS and SMON. Determinants for being diagnosed with HIV in all three databases were older age, living in Amsterdam, and having more partners (aORs 1.8 to 4.4). In EMIS and SMON, drug use, non-condom use, and having STI were additional determinants (aORs 1.6 to 8.9). Finally, determinants associated with never been tested for HIV were being younger (only SOAP), living outside of Amsterdam, having fewer partners, no drug use, and no STI (aORs 0.2 to 0.8).ConclusionsRisk factors from internet surveys were largely similar, but differed from STI clinics, possibly because it involves self-reports rather than diagnoses or because of differences in timing. The difference between the internet surveys and STI clinic data is much less pronounced for having never been tested, suggesting both are appropriate for this outcome. These findings shed light on conclusions drawn from different data sources, as well as the comparability of recruitment strategies, the robustness of risk factors, consequences of phrasing questions differently, and on (policy) implications based on different data sources.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing databases: determinants of sexually transmitted infections, HIV diagnoses, and lack of HIV testing among men who have sex with men

et al. 2015

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“…Two studies [ 31 , 43 ] (both with MSM) measured perceived behavioural control and found significant independent associations with previous testing. One study found a large independent effect of the related construct of testing self-efficacy on testing [ 98 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Three studies measured internalised homophobia. One [ 49 ] found a significant negative association with previous testing, two failed to show an effect [ 66 , 98 ]. One study [ 66 ] also measured openness of homosexuality and found a significant positive association with previous testing.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Which Psychological Factors are Related to HIV Testing? A Quantitative Systematic Review of Global Studies

2015

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Deciding to test for HIV is necessary for receiving HIV treatment and care among those who are HIV-positive. This article presents a systematic review of quantitative studies on relationships between psychological (cognitive and affective) variables and HIV testing. Sixty two studies were included (fifty six cross sectional). Most measured lifetime testing. HIV knowledge, risk perception and stigma were the most commonly measured psychological variables. Meta-analysis was carried out on the relationships between HIV knowledge and testing, and HIV risk perception and testing. Both relationships were positive and significant, representing small effects (HIV knowledge, d = 0.22, 95 % CI 0.14–0.31, p < 0.001; HIV risk perception, OR 1.47, 95 % CI 1.26–1.67, p < 0.001). Other variables with a majority of studies showing a relationship with HIV testing included: perceived testing benefits, testing fear, perceived behavioural control/self-efficacy, knowledge of testing sites, prejudiced attitudes towards people living with HIV, and knowing someone with HIV. Research and practice implications are outlined.

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“…However, testing rates in MSM are far from fulfilling the current European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recommendation of testing at least once every 12 months [9] and studies describe a substantial percentage of MSM that have never even been tested for HIV [10][11][12][13][14][15]. Historically, the primary model for providing HIV testing has been client-initiated HIV testing (CIT) in which individuals must actively seek an HIV test at a health or community-based facility.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High risk men who have sex with men in Spain are reporting low intentions of actively seeking HIV testing: results from a cross-sectional study

et al. 2020

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Background: We analyse unprotected anal intercourses (UAI) self-reported by a sample of men who have sex with men (MSM), by their future testing intentions and past testing history to identify undertested subpopulations that could be contributing to onward transmission. Methods: We recruited MSM through gay dating websites in Spain from September 2012 to April 2013. For MSM at risk of acquiring or unknowingly transmitting HIV (at risk hereafter) we calculate time at risk, number of UAI in the last 12 months and last 5 years by testing intention (low intention (LI), Medium intention (MI), high intention (HI)) and past testing history. For never testers we analyse the reasons for not having been tested. Results: Of 3272 MSM at risk, 19.8% reported LI of testing. MSM with LI reported the longest period at risk (8.49 years (p < 0.001)) and reported 3.20 UAI/person in the last 12 months (vs. 3.23 and 2.56 in MSM with HI and MI (p < 0.001)) and 12.90 UAI/person in the last 5 years (vs. 8.07 and 9.82 in MSM with HI and MI (p < 0.001)). Those with LI accounted for 21 and 27% of all the UA acts occurring in the last 12 months and the last 5 years. Among never testers (40.6%), those with LI reported lower risk perception (p = 0.006). Conclusion: We identified a group of high risk and undertested MSM that could be behind a substantial proportion of the UAIs with potential of transmission/acquisition of HIV. Given their low willingness to seek an HIV test and low risk perception, they constitute a population that will probably require approaches other than client initiated strategies.

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Psychosocial correlates of HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Italy: a cross-sectional study

Cited by 19 publications

References 31 publications

Comparing databases: determinants of sexually transmitted infections, HIV diagnoses, and lack of HIV testing among men who have sex with men

Comparing databases: determinants of sexually transmitted infections, HIV diagnoses, and lack of HIV testing among men who have sex with men

Which Psychological Factors are Related to HIV Testing? A Quantitative Systematic Review of Global Studies

High risk men who have sex with men in Spain are reporting low intentions of actively seeking HIV testing: results from a cross-sectional study

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