Drug users talk about HIV testing: motivating and deterring factors

Injection drug use plays a critical role in the spread of HIV/AIDS, with an estimated 19,000 drug users infected each year. Counselling and testing se rvices can be an important gateway for engaging HIV-infected individuals in to medical care and can positively influence the preventive behaviours of I DUs. This study seeks to document and understand the complexity and range o f motivations and deterrents to HIV testing among IDUs. Participants were r ecruited using a convenience sampling method. Interviews consisted of a qua litative guide and a quantitative survey to collect HIV testing histories, sex and drug risk behaviours, and demographic information. Interview data w as coded and content analyzed to identify emerging themes and clarify the p rocesses that drug users employ in deciding whether or not to test. Sixty-s ix drug users were interviewed. The sample reported a median of four lifeti me HIV tests. Participants described a range of motivating and deterring fa ctors to HIV testing across personal, interpersonal and structural categori es. Drug users' decision to test is influenced by a complex network of fact ors. Better understanding of these motivators and deterrents can help provi ders develop a more holistic approach to targeting this high-risk populatio n for HIV prevention efforts.