Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Factors Associated with Recent HIV Testing Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in New York City

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
AIDS and Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Understanding factors associated with recent HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) is important for designing interventions to increase testing rates and link cases to care. A cross-sectional study of MSM was conducted in NYC in 2011 using venue-based sampling. Associations between HIV testing in the past 12 months and relevant variables were examined through the estimation of prevalence ratios (PR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Of 448 participants, 107 (23.9 %) had not been tested in the past 12 months. Factors independently associated with not testing in the previous 12 months were: lack of a visit to a healthcare provider in the past 12 months (aPR: 2.5; 95 % CI: 1.9, 3.2); age ≥30 (adjusted PR: 1.9; 95 % CI: 1.4, 2.7); not having completed a bachelor’s degree (aPR: 1.6; 95 % CI: 1.0, 2.4); and non-gay sexual identity (aPR: 1.4; 95 % CI: 1.0, 1.8); such MSM may be less aware of the need for frequent HIV testing.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Chen M, Rhodes PH, Hall HI, Kilmarx PH, Branson BM, Valleroy LA. Prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection among persons aged ≥13 Years—National HIV Surveillance System, United States, 2005–2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012;61(02):57–64.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Hall HI, Holtgrave DR, Maulsby C. HIV transmission rates from persons living with HIV who are aware and unaware of their infection. AIDS. 2012;26(7):893–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Marks G, Crepaz N, Janssen RS. Estimating sexual transmission of HIV from persons aware and unaware that they are infected with the virus in the USA. AIDS. 2006;20(10):1447–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Marks G, Crepaz N, Senterfitt JW, Janssen RS. Meta-analysis of high-risk sexual behavior in persons aware and unaware they are infected with HIV in the United States: implications for HIV prevention programs. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2005;39(4):446–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Higginbotham S, Holmes R. Adoption of protective behaviors among persons with recent HIV infection and diagnosis. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2000;49(23):512–5.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Moir S, Buckner CM, Ho J, et al. B cells in early and chronic HIV infection: evidence for preservation of immune function associated with early initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Blood. 2010;116(25):5571–9.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kitahata MM, Gange SJ, Abraham AG, et al. Effect of early versus deferred antiretroviral therapy for HIV on survival. N Engl J Med. 2009;360(18):1815–26.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Branson BM, Handsfield HH, Lampe MA, et al. Revised recommendations for HIV testing of adults, adolescents, and pregnant women in health-care settings. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2006;55(RR14):1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  9. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: New York City HIV/AIDS Annual Surveillance Statistics. 2011. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/ah/surveillance2010-tables-all.pdf. Accessed 8 Feb 2012.

  10. Torian L, Chen M, Rhodes P, Hall HI. HIV surveillance—United States, 1981–2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011;60(21):689–93.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Campsmith ML, Rhodes PH, Hall HI, Green TA. Undiagnosed HIV prevalence among adults and adolescents in the United States at the end of 2006. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2010;53(5):619–24.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Branson BM. State of the art for diagnosis of HIV infection. Clin Infect Dis. 2007;45(Suppl 4):S221–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. White House Office of National AIDS Policy: National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States. 2011. http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/NHAS.pdf. Accessed 7 March 2012.

  14. New York State Department of Health: Frequently asked questions regarding the amended HIV testing law. 2011. http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/testing/law/faqs.htm. Accessed 8 Feb 2012.

  15. Lauby JL, Milnamow M. Where MSM have their first HIV test: differences by race, income, and sexual identity. Am J Mens Health. 2009;3(1):50–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Sanchez T, Finlayson T, Drake A, et al. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk, prevention, and testing behaviors: United States, National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System: men who have sex men, November 2003–April 2005. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2006;55(SS06):1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Gallagher KM, Sullivan PS, Lansky A, Onorato IM. Behavioral surveillance among people at risk for HIV infection in the US: the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System. Public Health Rep. 2007;122(Suppl 1):32–8.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Lansky A, Sullivan PS, Gallagher KM, Fleming PL. HIV behavioral surveillance in the US: a conceptual framework. Public Health Rep. 2007;122(Suppl 1):16–23.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. MacKellar DA, Gallagher KM, Finlayson T, Sanchez T, Lansky A, Sullivan PS. Surveillance of HIV risk and prevention behaviors of men who have sex with men—a national application of venue-based, time-space sampling. Public Health Rep. 2007;122(Suppl 1):39–47.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Daskalakis D, Silvera R, Bernstein K, et al. Implementation of HIV testing at 2 New York City bathhouses: from pilot to clinical service. Clin Infect Dis. 2009;48(11):1609–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Oster AM, Miles IW, Le BC, et al. HIV testing among men who have sex with men—21 cities, United States, 2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011;60(21):694–9.

    Google Scholar 

  22. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Community Health Survey. 2010. https://a816-healthpsi.nyc.gov/SASStoredProcess/guest?_PROGRAM=/EpiQuery/CHS/chsindex&year=2010. Accessed 12 June 2012.

  23. Helms DJ, Weinstock HS, Mahle KC, et al. HIV testing frequency among men who have sex with men attending sexually transmitted disease clinics: implications for HIV prevention and surveillance. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2009;50(3):320–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Cutler DM, Lleras-Muney A. Education and health: evaluating theories and evidence: National Bureau of Economic Research; 2006.

  25. Braveman P, Egerter S, Williams DR. The social determinants of health: coming of age. Annu Rev Public Health. 2011;32:381–98.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Pathela P, Hajat A, Schillinger J, Blank S, Sell R, Mostashari F. Discordance between sexual behavior and self-reported sexual identity: a population-based survey of New York City men. Ann Intern Med. 2006;145(6):416–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Mimiaga MJ, Goldhammer H, Belanoff C, Tetu AM, Mayer KH. Men who have sex with men: perceptions about sexual risk, HIV and sexually transmitted disease testing, and provider communication. Sex Transm Dis. 2007;34(2):113–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Kim EK, Thorpe L, Myers JE, Nash D. Healthcare-related correlates of recent HIV screening in New York City. Prev Med. 2012;54(6):440–3.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Bond L, Lauby J, Batson H. HIV testing and the role of individual-and structural-level barriers and facilitators. AIDS Care. 2005;17(2):125–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Bertakis KD, Azari R, Helms LJ, Callahan EJ, Robbins JA. Gender differences in the utilization of health care services. J Fam Pract. 2000;49(2):147–52.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Community Health Survey. 2009. https://a816-healthpsi.nyc.gov/SASStoredProcess/guest?_PROGRAM=%2FEpiQuery%2FCHS%2Fchsindex&year=2009. Accessed 12 June 2012.

  32. MacKellar DA, Valleroy LA, Secura GM, et al. Unrecognized HIV infection, risk behaviors, and perceptions of risk among young men who have sex with men: opportunities for advancing HIV prevention in the third decade of HIV/AIDS. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2005;38(5):603–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Hutchinson AB, Corbie-Smith G, Thomas SB, Mohanan S, del Rio C. Understanding the patient’s perspective on rapid and routine HIV testing in an inner-city urgent care center. AIDS Educ Prev. 2004;16(2):101–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Song Y, Li X, Zhang L, et al. HIV-testing behavior among young migrant men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing, China. AIDS Care. 2011;23(2):179–86.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Whiteside YO, Harris T, Scanlon C, Clarkson S, Duffus W. Self-perceived risk of HIV infection and attitudes about preexposure prophylaxis among sexually transmitted disease clinic attendees in South Carolina. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2011;25(6):365–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Nunn A, Zaller N, Cornwall A, et al. Low perceived risk and high HIV prevalence among a predominantly African American population participating in Philadelphia’s rapid HIV testing program. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2011;25(4):229–35.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Mills CW, Sabharwal CJ, Udeagu CC, et al. Barriers to HIV testing among HIV/AIDS concurrently diagnosed persons in New York City. Sex Transm Dis. 2011;38(8):715–21.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Lorenc T, Marrero-Guillamon I, Llewellyn A, et al. HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM): systematic review of qualitative evidence. Health Educ Res. 2011;26(5):834–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Lyter DW, Valdiserri RO, Kingsley LA, Amoroso WP, Rinaldo CR Jr. The HIV antibody test: why gay and bisexual men want or do not want to know their results. Public Health Rep. 1987;102(5):468–74.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Siegel K, Levine MP, Brooks C, Kern R. The motives of gay men for taking or not taking the HIV antibody test. Soc Probl. 1989;36(4):368–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Carballo-Dieguez A, Frasca T, Dolezal C, Balan I. Will gay and bisexually active men at high risk of infection use over-the-counter rapid HIV tests to screen sexual partners? J Sex Res. 2012;49(4):379–87.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Myers JE, Braunstein SL, Shepard CW, et al. Assessing the impact of a community-wide HIV testing scale-up initiative in a major urban epidemic. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2012;61(1):23–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Braunstein SL, Shepard CW. The potential pitfalls of targeted screening for acute HIV infection: the view from New York City. J Infect Dis. 2011;204(3):487–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Fuqua V, Chen YH, Packer T, et al. Using social networks to reach black MSM for HIV testing and linkage to care. AIDS Behav. 2012;16(2):256–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Bocour A, Renaud TC, Udeagu CN, Shepard CW. HIV partner services are associated with earlier diagnosis and linkage to HIV medical care Paper presented at: XIX International AIDS Conference; Washington, DC; July 22–27, 2012.

  46. Renaud TC, Woog V, Ramaswamy CK, et al. Overstating social networks’ ability to diagnose new cases of HIV. Am J Public Health. 2010;100(S1):S5–6.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by a cooperative agreement between the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Grant# 1U1BPS003246-01). The contents of this article are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of The CDC. The authors acknowledge Gabriela Paz-Bailey, Dita Broz, and Isa Miles of CDC for their contributions to the NHBS study design; Colin Shepard, Kent Sepkowitz, Jay Varma, James Hadler and Julie Myers of the NYC DOHMH for reviewing previous drafts of this article; and the NYC NHBS field staff for all their efforts.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. HIV Epidemiology Program, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City, NY, USA

    K. H. Reilly & A. Neaigus

  2. Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    S. M. Jenness

  3. Department of Anthropology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY, USA

    T. Wendel & D. M. Marshall IV

  4. College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY, USA

    H. Hagan

  5. 42-09 28th Street, CN: 22-109, Long Island City, NY, 11101, USA

    K. H. Reilly

Authors
  1. K. H. Reilly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Neaigus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. M. Jenness
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. T. Wendel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. D. M. Marshall IV
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. H. Hagan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to K. H. Reilly.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Reilly, K.H., Neaigus, A., Jenness, S.M. et al. Factors Associated with Recent HIV Testing Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in New York City. AIDS Behav 18 (Suppl 3), 297–304 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-013-0483-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-013-0483-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation