GENDER DIFFERENCES AND OTHER FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HIV TESTING IN ANATIONAL SAMPLE OF ACTIVE-DRUG INJECTORS

Gender, health, HIV risk, and demographic factors were examined with c hi-square and logistic regression analyses to assess which of these fa ctors are most predictive of active injection drug users' (IDUs') gett ing tested for HIV. Analyses were based on 36,898 IDUs recruited to pa rticipate in a nationwide multisite HIV prevention project. Women IDUs were recently tested (prior 6 months) more than men IDUs. Health fact ors, particularly for women IDUs, predicted who got tested for HIV mor e than risk or demographic factors, HIV testing usually occurred when disease symptomatology developed, after a long period of being capable of transmitting HIV to others, and when the benefits of AZT and other interventions may be reduced. Preventive interventions with IDUs are needed that emphasize the possible benefits of HIV testing and that en courage testing before symptoms develop.