TY - JOUR
T1 - Moving from apprehension to action
T2 - HIV counseling and testing preferences in three at-risk populations
AU - Spielberg, Freya
AU - Kurth, Ann
AU - Gorbach, Pamina M.
AU - Goldbaum, Gary
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - This study sought to identify factors influencing HIV testing decisions among clients at a sexually transmitted disease clinic, gay men, and injection drug users. Focus group and intensive interview data were collected from 100 individuals. The AIDS Risk Reduction Model was adapted to describe factors that affect test decisions. Testing barriers and facilitators were grouped as factors affected by "Individual" beliefs, "System" policies and programs, "Testing" technology, and "Counseling" options. Individual factors (fear of death and change), system factors (anonymous test availability, convenience), and counseling and testing factors (rapid results, counseling alternatives) interact to determine whether an individual does not test ("apprehension") or does test ("action"), and ultimately, tests routinely ("integration"). In conclusion, traditional HIV testing presents barriers to some populations at risk for HIV. These findings suggest several strategies to improve HIV test acceptance: acknowledge fears, address system barriers, utilize available test technologies, and expand counseling options.
AB - This study sought to identify factors influencing HIV testing decisions among clients at a sexually transmitted disease clinic, gay men, and injection drug users. Focus group and intensive interview data were collected from 100 individuals. The AIDS Risk Reduction Model was adapted to describe factors that affect test decisions. Testing barriers and facilitators were grouped as factors affected by "Individual" beliefs, "System" policies and programs, "Testing" technology, and "Counseling" options. Individual factors (fear of death and change), system factors (anonymous test availability, convenience), and counseling and testing factors (rapid results, counseling alternatives) interact to determine whether an individual does not test ("apprehension") or does test ("action"), and ultimately, tests routinely ("integration"). In conclusion, traditional HIV testing presents barriers to some populations at risk for HIV. These findings suggest several strategies to improve HIV test acceptance: acknowledge fears, address system barriers, utilize available test technologies, and expand counseling options.
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U2 - 10.1521/aeap.13.6.524.21436
DO - 10.1521/aeap.13.6.524.21436
M3 - Article
C2 - 11791784
AN - SCOPUS:0035673591
SN - 0899-9546
VL - 13
SP - 524
EP - 540
JO - AIDS Education and Prevention
JF - AIDS Education and Prevention
IS - 6
ER -