HIV Testing Among Heterosexual Young Adults: The Influence of Partners' Risk Behaviors and Relationship Dynamics

Abstract

Using relational theory and survey data from the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study (n = 665), this article examined whether individuals were tested for HIV while intimately involved in a current or recent heterosexual relationship. The analyses included the respondent's and partner's sexual risk factors (non-exclusivity and lifetime number of partners), relational variables, prior testing, and demographic characteristics. It was found that 39% of respondents had an HIV test while involved in their current or most recent sexual relationship, and women (47%), compared with men (29%), were significantly more likely to have been tested. Whereas some predictors operated similarly (number of sex partners and pressured to have sex), others displayed significant gender differences (partner's sexual exclusivity, sexual communication difficulties, and pregnancy), particularly related to women's testing behaviors. Excerpts from qualitative interviews with male respondents suggested that some relational dynamics, not well reflected in relational theory, played a role in their testing. Results highlight the need to consider gendered dynamics when targeting young adults for routine HIV testing.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Grant Nos. HD036223 and HD044206 from The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Grant No. R24HD050959-01 from the Center for Family and Demographic Research, Bowling Green State University, which received core funding from The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Notes

¹Responses for lifetime number of sex partners that exceeded 17 were capped at 18. These responses represent the 90th percentile of all responses (i.e., 90% of all responses fell below 18).

²Responses for partner's number of sex partners that exceeded 11 were capped at 12. These responses represent the 90th percentile of all responses (i.e., 90% of all responses fell below 12).

Note. N = 665. Significance levels are based on zero-order logistic regression. Source: Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study.

^a Significantly different by gender at p < .05.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.

Note. N = 665. The omitted category is in parentheses. Source: Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001. †p < .10.