How different are men who do not know their HIV status from those who do? Results from an U.S. online study of gay and bisexual men

Authors

Christian Grov, CUNY School of Public HealthFollow
H. Jonathon Rendina, Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies and Training
Jeffrey T. Parsons, CUNY Hunter College

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-14-2016

Abstract

We compared self-described HIV-positive (31.6%, n=445), HIV-negative (56.8%, n=801), and HIV-unknown (11.6%, n=164) gay and bisexual men (GBM) on sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics. Participants from across the U.S. were enrolled via a popular sexual networking website to complete an online survey. In total, 44.8% of HIV-negative and HIV-unknown men said they had not been tested for HIV in the CDC-recommended last 6 months. HIV-unknown men significantly differed from HIV-negative and HIV-positive men in sexual behavior and HIV status disclosure patterns. HIV-unknown men were more willing than HIV-negative men to take PrEP; however, HIV-unknown men were significantly less likely than others to have health insurance or a primary care provider. Given the observed differences, researchers should consider analyzing men who are HIV-unknown distinctly from HIV-negative and HIV-positive men.

Comments

This is the accepted manuscript of an article published in AIDS and Behavior.