HIV TESTING AMONG MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN - RESULTS OF A TELEPHONE SURVEY

Background. This article describes the testing behavior for human immu nodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody among an urban population of men who have sex with men (MSM) and the reasons given for not being tested fo r HIV. Methods. A random digit dialing telephone survey of men living in selected neighborhoods of Seattle, Washington, was conducted from J une through August 1992. Results. Of 603 MSM interviewed, 82% had ever been tested for HIV; 19% of tested men were seropositive. MSM who wer e older, nonwhite, with lower income, or not currently sexually active were less likely to have been tested. Among nontesters, 57% believed their risk of infection was too low to justify testing; 52% said they had not tested due to fear of learning the result, Testers and nontest ers had similar rates of unprotected sexual behavior, Conclusions. Mos t MSM who had not been tested for HPV believed they were not at risk o f infection and/or were fearful of learning the result, To increase th e proportion of MSM who test, public health agencies may need to empha size that unexpected infection does occur and that new therapies are a vailable for those testing positive. Innovative programs may be necess ary to reach those who have not yet decided to be tested. (C) 1997 Aca demic Press.