Joseph Zamora

November 16, 2013

Biology 101G A02

Article Review about increased HIV testing among gay men

The Kirby Institution set out to show if increased HIV tests would be acceptable among the gay

men population in New South Wales. Testing is important for the sake of knowing the status of HIV

infection in gay men for them to be treated in a timely manner. It is also important to take steps in

prevention. Trying to catch the infection early is also important because it improves treatment options.

The Kirby Institution chose New South Wales due to its high HIV rate in gay men. However, there are

many available treatments/preventions such as the use of condoms during intercourse, strategic

positioning (the negative HIV male takes the insertive position during intercourse to try to prevent

transmission) and antiretroviral treatment. These men were tested through blood or saliva. In order to get

results, the Kirby Institution set up an online survey and placed advertisements throughout a gay

community website. There were also promotions at gay community events. Three-hundred men had

provided sufficient data to be considered eligible for the study’s survey. Two-hundred and thirty-three

men responded on the survey that they were HIV negative. This survey was only used to identify the HIV

status of these men. There were four focus groups, two groups of HIV positive men and two groups of

HIV negative men, with 24 men total. They were asked how much HIV is a risk in their life and how they

could prevent transmission. The information received from these surveys and focus groups were put into a

model to represent the entire gay man population. In the survey’s, these men were asked if they would

increase testing for HIV. One-third of the men in the surveys said they would want to increase the amount

of testing performed. In the focus groups, there were discussions about for more efficient and convenient

tests and facilities, the anxiety of waiting for results, and to increase testing among men who perform

risky behavior. Men believed that testing should be easier if they would increase testing. However, when

they would come back to get test results, they would be very anxious of the response. To sum up, gay men

found it acceptable to increase testing for HIV.

Discussion

I support this study because of how the Kirby Institution wanted to better the gay community by

increasing the knowledge of ones HIV status. This helps to protect their selves as well as others. I

understand that the study was done with gay men because of the high HIV rate in New South Wales, but I

feel that there is just as much heterosexual men/women with HIV as well. In a way, I feel that this study

was biased due to the focus being gay men but it was still a respectable study. I noticed that gay men used

some precautions when performing in intercourse. Strategic positioning can be safe as long as protection

is used. Probably the safest way to go in all intercourse is with some sort of protection, especially

concerning STDs or STIs. In addition, when these men are tested, they usually want their results in the

next 20 minutes to avoid anxiety. I feel that there should be a longer waiting period for the sake of

accurate results, regardless of anxiety. Again, it is pertinent to know HIV status and I feel the Kirby

Institution should run a study on the rates of HIV infections in heterosexual men and women.