ITS LIKE A REGULAR PART OF GAY LIFE - REPEAT HIV ANTIBODY TESTING AMONG GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN

HIV antibody testing is a critical facet of national AIDS prevention s trategies and increasing numbers of persons are tested each year. Rese arch has shown that a significant number of men who have sex with men are repeatedly tested for HIV antibodies, and many are tested regularl y every 6 months. This study investigated the prevalence of repeat tes ting (having been tested three or more times) and regular testing (hav ing been tested three or more times and getting tested every 6 months) , and their association to testing attitudes and sexual behaviors. We found that 66% of 253 HIV seronegative gay and bisexual men surveyed a t a large gay pride festival had been repeatedly tested, and 47% were tested regularly. Repeat testing was associated with knowing people wi th HIV or AIDS, whereas regular testing was associated with younger ag e and not being in an exclusive sexual relationship. Both repeat and r egular testers held more positive health-related attitudes about testi ng than nonrepeat and nonregularly tested men, respectively. Contrary to previous research, repeat testing was not associated with unprotect ed anal intercourse or unprotected oral sex. However, both repeat and regular testing were positively related to condom use during anal inte rcourse as well as having multiple protected anal intercourse partners . We therefore conclude that both repeat testing and higher rates of c ondom use reflect positive health attitudes and that repeat testing ma y function to meet the needs of some men who have sex with men.