TY - JOUR
T1 - Why take an hiv test? concerns, benefits, and strategies to promote hiv testing among low-income heterosexual African American young adults
AU - Wallace, Scyatta A.
AU - McLellan-Lemal, Eleanor
AU - Harris, Muriel J.
AU - Townsend, Tiffany G.
AU - Miller, Kim S.
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was funded under CDC #200-2003-03090 for the Minority HIV/AIDS Research Initiative (MARI) awarded to Muriel Harris, PhD, while on faculty at the University of South Carolina, and Tiffany Townsend, PhD, while on faculty at Penn State University.
PY - 2011/10
Y1 - 2011/10
N2 - A qualitative study examined perceptions of HIV testing and strategies to enhance HIV testing among HIV-negative African American heterosexual young adults (ages 18-25 years).Twenty-six focus groups (13 male groups, 13 female groups) were conducted in two low-income communities (urban and rural).All sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed.Data analysis was completed using AnSWR software.Many participants expressed that learning one's HIV status, regardless of the result, was a benefit of taking an HIV test because this was perceived to produce emotional relief.Additional benefits included the avoidance of unknowingly spreading the virus, being offered treatment access if HIV-positive, and taking time to assess and modify risky sexual behaviors if HIV-negative.If diagnosed HIV-positive, HIV testing concerns included the recognition of one's mortality, the experience of social stigma, and concerns about accessing affordable treatment.Recommended promotion strategies included the use of HIV-positive individuals, pop culture icons, and the media to promote HIV testing messages.
AB - A qualitative study examined perceptions of HIV testing and strategies to enhance HIV testing among HIV-negative African American heterosexual young adults (ages 18-25 years).Twenty-six focus groups (13 male groups, 13 female groups) were conducted in two low-income communities (urban and rural).All sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed.Data analysis was completed using AnSWR software.Many participants expressed that learning one's HIV status, regardless of the result, was a benefit of taking an HIV test because this was perceived to produce emotional relief.Additional benefits included the avoidance of unknowingly spreading the virus, being offered treatment access if HIV-positive, and taking time to assess and modify risky sexual behaviors if HIV-negative.If diagnosed HIV-positive, HIV testing concerns included the recognition of one's mortality, the experience of social stigma, and concerns about accessing affordable treatment.Recommended promotion strategies included the use of HIV-positive individuals, pop culture icons, and the media to promote HIV testing messages.
KW - African American
KW - HIV testing
KW - young adult
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U2 - 10.1177/1090198110382501
DO - 10.1177/1090198110382501
M3 - Article
C2 - 21464204
AN - SCOPUS:80052941738
SN - 1090-1981
VL - 38
SP - 462
EP - 470
JO - Health Education and Behavior
JF - Health Education and Behavior
IS - 5
ER -