factors associated with getting tested for hiv

Factors Associated with Getting Tested for HIV

HIV/AIDS in the Lives of Gay and Bisexual Men in the US

Jamie Firth, Mira Norton, Sarah Levine, Elizabeth Hamel, Tina Hoff, Jennifer Kates, and Mollyann Brodie

SOURCE: Kaiser Family Foundation Survey of Gay and Bisexual Men on HIV (July 17 - August 3, 2014)

Gay Men Are Disproportionately Impacted By HIV/AIDS

2% of the country’s population, but 66% of new

HIV infections

Share of US Population Share of new HIV infections


Methods

• Nationally representative survey of 431 men 18+ who self-identified as either gay or bisexual, using KnowledgePanel, GfK’s nationally representative, probability-based Internet panel

• Weighted to the 2013 NHIS data, which asked questions about sexual orientation for the first time

• Few representative surveys have been done with this population, none of which have focused specifically on HIV/AIDS

Q1. Do you consider yourself

to be…

Heterosexual or straight ….. 1

Gay …………………….……... 2

Bisexual ……………………... 4

Other …………………………. 5

ASK IF Q1= 1,5 OR REFUSED

Q2. In an earlier survey, you

identified as (gay/bisexual). Do

you still consider yourself to be

(gay/bisexual), or not?

Yes ………………….………... 1

No ………………….…….…... 2

Married20%

Committed relationship

33%

Not married

47%White69%

Non-White31%


Demographics Of Gay And Bisexual Men

Race Marital Status


Many Are Unaware That HIV Infections Are Increasing Among Gay And Bisexual Men

Increasing(correct answer)

32%

Don't know20%

Staying about the same26%

Decreasing22%

Is the number of new HIV infections each year among gay and bisexual

men…

PREP: (aka “Pre-Exposure

Prophylaxis”) is a pill HIV-

negative people can take to

prevent HIV infection

Yes26%

Don't know43%

No31%

Prevention Of HIV


Only a quarter of gay

and bisexual men

know that PrEP

exists

Treatment as Prevention:

Antiretrovirals (ARVs),

prescription medication used

to treat HIV, reduces chances

of transmission

No39%

Don't know36%

Yes25%

Only a quarter of

gay and bisexual

men know the role

ARVs play in

prevention of HIV

34%

24%

31%

29%

16%

25%

19%

20%

19%

9%

33%

16%

Not shown “already have HIV”SOURCE: Kaiser Family Foundation Survey of Gay and Bisexual Men on HIV (July 17 - August 3, 2014)

Non-Whites Express More Concern Than Whites About Personal Risk for HIV

How concerned are you, personally, about becoming infected with HIV?

Very/Somewhat concernedNot too/Not at all concerned

Total

White

Non-White

Enables treatment to begin earlier

Better health outcomes and longer lifespan

Reduces the spread of HIV

SOURCE: CDC, HIV in the United States: At a Glance (March 2015)

The Importance Of Testing

ONE IN FIVEgay/bisexual men with HIV do not

know their status

Every month8%

Every 3-6 months (correct answer)

55%

Once a year or less16%

Don't know20%

*Excludes the 10% who self-identify as HIV-positive.SOURCE: Kaiser Family Foundation Survey of Gay and Bisexual Men on HIV (July 17 - August 3, 2014)

Most Are Aware Of Testing Recommendations, But Few Are Following Them

What is the current recommendation for HIV testing for gay and bisexual men?

Percent who say they have been tested for HIV…*

Tested, last 6 mo19%

Tested, last 6-12 mo11%

Tested, more than 12 mo

36%

Never Tested, Or Tested More Than a Year Ago – Why?

60%

20%

16%

11%

13%

10%

15%

23%

15%

16%

8%

9%

You don't think you are at risk

You just haven't gotten around to it

You're afraid to find out the results

Your doctor hasn't brought it up

You don't know where to go to gettested

You're worried about the cost

Major reason Minor reason


Doctor has suggested

testing44%

Doctor has NOT

suggested testing

56%


Lack Of Communication With Doctors

28%

say they feel uncomfortable

discussing sexual behavior with a

doctor

Very comfortable

35%

Somewhat comfortable

36%

Somewhat uncomfortable

23%

Very uncomfortable

5%

Did not answer1%

56%

say that no doctor has ever

suggested they get tested for HIV

Factors Associated With Getting Tested In Past Year

• Logistic Regression, controlling for demographics, insurance status, interaction with medical system, and opinions related to HIV

*Analysis excluded those who self-identify as HIV+

• Factors associated with getting tested in the past year

Doctor has ever suggested getting an HIV test

Comfort discussing sexual behavior with health care providers

Conclusions from the Analysis

• Most gay and bisexual men are not getting tested as frequently as recommended

The primary reason named is because they don’t think they’re at risk of HIV infection

• The analysis underscores the critical role that health care providers can play in HIV testing among gay and bisexual men

Additional Resources

Kaiser Family FoundationKFF.org/polling

Greater Than AIDSgreaterthan.org

factors associated with getting tested for hiv

Documents