School‐Based HIV/STD Testing Behaviors and Motivations Among Black and Hispanic Teen MSM: Results From a Formative Evaluation

Abstract

BACKGROUND This evaluation explores experiences with, and motivations for, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing among black and Hispanic school-aged young men who have sex with men (YMSM). METHODS Participants were recruited at community-based organizations that serve YMSM in New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Eligible participants were 13- to 19-year-old black or Hispanic males who reported attraction to or sexual behavior with other males and/or identified as gay or bisexual, and attended at least 90 days of school in the previous 18 months. Participants (N = 415) completed web-based questionnaires and/or in-depth interviews (N = 32). RESULTS In the past year, 72.0% of questionnaire participants had been tested for HIV, 13.5% of them at school or school clinic. Participants reported that they would be more likely to get an HIV test if they could be tested close to or at school (34.4%), and 64.4% would use HIV testing if offered in schools. Most interview participants reported willingness to use school-based services if they were offered nonjudgmentally, privately, and confidentially by providers with experience serving YMSM. CONCLUSION Schools can provide opportunities to make HIV and STD testing accessible to school-aged YMSM, but the services must be provided in ways that are comfortable to them.

Preferences for HIV test characteristics among young, Black Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) and transgender women: Implications for consistent HIV testing

“…Similarly, the lack of easy access to all the testing approaches was perceived as a barrier to testing for very young, emerging adults. This strongly suggests that in addition to efforts to increase knowledge of and access to the full range of testing approaches, the public school system should integrate information on all testing approaches currently available as well as provide access to HIV testing in high schools and provide HIV self-tests to students who seek them [ 58 ]. Second, the finding that participants thought that a particular “type” of person might prefer to use a self-test is somewhat concerning.…”

“…Further experimental research would be needed to conclude if programs that help individuals develop tailored testing plans that take into account the full range of testing options and life stage increase consistent testing. Finally, HIV screening program planners and school health professionals should consider generating awareness and demand for the full range of test options through social and other media awareness-raising campaigns and provide easy access to all testing options [ 58 ].…”

Factors associated with regular HIV testing behavior of MSM in China: a cross-sectional survey informed by theory of triadic influence

“…Individual stream factors. Two scales were used based on the assumptions of TTI's individual stream (i.e., selfefficacy, sense of self, self-determination, and social skills): (1) the 5-item, 5-point Likert-like Perceived risk of HIV Scale developed by authors grounded in the tools from previous studies 24,25 (Response categories: 1 ¼ extremely unlikely, 5 ¼ extremely likely), sample items are "Intuitively, I think the possibility of getting HIV is? ", "I worried that I will be infected with HIV" and (2) a 4-item, 5-point Likert-like Selfefficacy for HIV test Scale drawing from the TTI and other research (Response categories: 1 ¼ totally disagree, 5 ¼ totally agree), 26 sample items are "I will take up HIV testing even if I am afraid to know the results", "I have confidence that I will take up HIV testing regularly" Social stream factors.…”

Mind the Gap: HIV Prevention Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…However, in addition to the barriers with provider-patient communication described above, relatively low primary engagement among young men [68] (including YBMSM) suggests a need for increased access to testing in community settings. YBMSM prefer school-based and other community settings where HIV testing services are offered in a nonjudgmental, private, and confidential manner [69,70]. Moreover, accessible, trusted, and frequently engaged community settings may be ideal for HIV testing.…”