LIMITED EFFECTS OF HIV COUNSELING AND TESTING FOR WOMEN - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF BEHAVIORAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES

Objectives.-To assess the consequences of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) counseling and testing for seronegative women in terms of sexua l behavior and psychological outcomes. Design.-The design is prospecti ve and longitudinal, using repeated measures. Participants were interv iewed at recruitment, 2 weeks later (when tested women received result s), and 3 months later. Setting.-Four community health clinics in sout hern Connecticut; all provide HIV counseling and testing and other spe cialized and primary health care services. Study Participants.-A seque ntial sample of women were recruited for two study groups: those seeki ng HIV counseling and testing (n=152), and a comparison group never te sted for HIV (n=78), matched by clinic, race, and age. Main Outcome Me asures.-A composite measure of sexual risk was developed, based on sex ual activity, condom use, and partner risk factors. Psychometrically v alid and reliable measures of general psychological functioning and ac quired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-specific psychological indicat ors were also used. Results.-Average level of sexual risk was lower fo r tested than nontested women at all three interviews. For both groups , there was no significant change in sexual risk from baseline to 3-mo nth follow-up. At the individual level, there was no difference in the number of women who decreased or increased sexual risk. For tested wo men, intrusive thoughts about AIDS and estimated chance of getting AID S decreased after counseling and testing. Conclusions.-Behavioral and psychological consequences of HIV counseling and testing for women at risk for HIV were limited. These results have implications for further prevention interventions.