HIV testing in a New York City sample of gay, bisexual, and other young men who have sex with men

Data indicate that HIV incidence is rising among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in New York City. We examined HIV testing behaviors along key demographics and in relation to substance use in a diverse sample of 18- to 29-year-old YMSM using cross-sectional survey data. The majority of YMSM had tested for HIV in their lifetime and had undertaken their most recent HIV tests as part of a scheduled health checkup or test, or a desire to know their status. In bivariate analyses, a greater proportion of Black men, Latino men, and YMSM of multiracial or other race/ethnicity had ever tested and were more likely to report a recent HIV test than White or Asian/Pacific Islander (API) men, while those living with their parents and those using stimulants were less likely to have tested. Taken together, multivariate analyses indicated that younger men, API men, and those using stimulants were less likely to have tested for HIV. Findings suggest that testing may be facilitated by reducing barriers to testing or embedding testing within routine health programs, and further, that services must be tailored to developmental and cultural nuances in order to reach all YMSM.