DEMOGRAPHIC AND BEHAVIORAL PREDICTORS OF KNOWLEDGE AND HIV SEROPOSITIVITY - RESULTS OF A SURVEY CONDUCTED IN 3 ANONYMOUS AND FREE COUNSELING AND TESTING CENTERS

This paper deals with subjects seeking counselling and testing for hum an immunodeficiency virus (HIV); it analyses which sociodemographic an d behavioral characteristics are related to beliefs concerning HIV inf ection and to HIV seropositivity. A one month survey among individuals who attended HIV testing in three anonymous and free centers (CIDAGs) was carried out in Paris city, on March 1994. 2059 subjects completed a self-administered questionnaire. Data collected included demographi c information, sexual and IVDU behavior, and HIV seropositivity. Subje cts also had to evaluate their own risk of getting the acquired immuno deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the perceived risk of getting AIDS in s pecific situations such as unprotected anal/vaginal intercourse with a casual partner, with multiple partners, with a seropositive partner, current dental treatment, French kiss, etc. ... Multiple linear and lo gistic regressions have been used to model the dependent variables. Su bjects correctly evaluated the risk level of HIV transmission associat ed with different situations, and women, young men and those engaged i n home/bisexual behavior were in general more conscious of the increas ed danger resulting from high risk sexual practices. Among males, home /bisexuals, drug users and the less educated considered themselves to be more at risk. The most important factors related to HIV seropositiv ity were sexual orientation, intravenous drug use (IVDU), and the perc eived risk of getting aids. Despite a good awareness of HIV contaminat ion and an accurate perception of their own risk, many subjects contin ued to engage in high risk AIDS activities. Better targeted interventi ons need to be developed to promote and maintain behavior changes.