Correlates of frequency of HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Washington, DC

Abstract

In Washington, DC, the leading mode of HIV transmission is through men who have sex with men (MSM) behavior. This study explored differences between frequent HIV testers (men testing at least twice a year) and annual or less frequent testers (men testing once a year or less) in DC. Nearly, one-third of MSM reported testing for HIV at least four times in the prior two years. In the multivariable model, frequent testers had significantly higher odds of being aged 18–34 (aOR =1.94), knowing their last partner's HIV status (aOR=1.86), having 5+ partners in the last year (aOR=1.52), and having seen a health-care provider in the last year (aOR=2.28). Conversely, frequent testers had significantly lower odds of being newly HIV positive (aOR=0.27), and having a main partner at last sex (vs. casual/exchange partner; aOR=0.59). Medical providers need to be encouraged to consistently offer an HIV test to their patients, especially those who are sexually active and who have not tested recently.

Keywords:

• HIV/AIDS
• MSM
• behavioral surveillance
• HIV testing

Acknowledgments

For their assistance and expertise throughout the study, the authors acknowledge Dr Amanda Castel of GWU SPHHS; Dr Amy Lansky, Dr Elizabeth DiNenno, Ms. Tricia Martin, and Dr Isa Miles of CDC; and the WORD UP Community Advisory Board Members, and interviewers Luz Montanez, Matthew Goldshore, Benjamin Takai, Sarah Jackson, Michelle Folkers, Kenny Landgraf, and Mariel Marlow. This study could not have been conducted without the enormous support of our community partners and the venue owners and managers at all the sampled locations. For their participation in and support of NHBS, the study team would like to acknowledge the participants of the study and the citizens of the District of Columbia, without whom this study would not have been possible.

This study was funded by District of Columbia, Department of Health, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Administration (DC DOH HAHSTA), Contract Number DCPO-2011-C-0073, funded in part by Grant Number PS000966–01, from the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All co-authors have reviewed and approved of the final draft of the paper including those from DC DOH/HAHSTA. Under the Partnership contract, DC DOH/HAHSTA had the right to review and approve the manuscript. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of DHHS/CDC and responsibility for the content rests solely with the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by District of Columbia, Department of Health, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Administration (DC DOH HAHSTA), Contract Number DCPO-2011-C-0073, funded in part by Grant Number PS000966–01, from the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).