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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
general
HIV Testing Patterns among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Qualitative Typology
PLoS ONE, Volume 8, No. 9, Article e75382, Year 2013
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Description
Background:Black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Southeastern United States are disproportionately affected by HIV. Black MSM are more likely to have unrecognized HIV infection, suggesting that testing may occur later and/or infrequently relative to current recommendations. The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the HIV testing behaviors of Black MSM in Atlanta, Georgia, who were participants in the HIV Prevention Trials Network Brothers Study (HPTN 061).Methods and Findings:We conducted 29 in-depth interviews and four focus groups with a community-recruited sample. Modified grounded theory methodologies were used to guide our inductive analysis, which yielded a typology comprised of four distinct HIV testing patterns. Participants could be categorized as: (1) Maintenance Testers, who tested regularly as part of routine self-care; (2) Risk-Based Testers, whose testing depended on relationship status or sexual behavior; (3) Convenience Testers, who tested irregularly depending on what testing opportunities arose; or (4) Test Avoiders, who tested infrequently and/or failed to follow up on results. We further characterized these groups with respect to age, socioeconomic factors, identity, stigma and healthcare access.Conclusions:Our findings highlight the heterogeneity of HIV testing patterns among Black MSM, and offer a framework for conceptualizing HIV testing in this group. Public health messaging must account for the diversity of Black MSM's experiences, and multiple testing approaches should be developed and utilized to maximize outreach to different types of testers. © 2013 Hussen et al.
Authors & Co-Authors
Hussen, Sophia Ahmed
United States, Atlanta
Rollins School of Public Health
United States, Atlanta
Emory University School of Medicine
Stephenson, Rob B.
United States, Atlanta
Rollins School of Public Health
Del Rio, Carlos D.
United States, Atlanta
Rollins School of Public Health
United States, Atlanta
Emory University School of Medicine
Wilton, Leo
United States, Binghamton
Binghamton University State University of new York
Wheeler, Darrell P.
United States, Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
Fields, Sheldon D.
Unknown Affiliation
Wakefield, Steven F.
Unknown Affiliation
Statistics
Citations: 29
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.pone.0075382
ISSN:
19326203
Research Areas
Genetics And Genomics
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Design
Exploratory Study
Grounded Theory
Study Approach
Qualitative
Participants Gender
Male