Factors associated with HIV testing frequency among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men in the United States Restricted; Files & ToC
Villarino, Xaviera (Spring 2024)
Published
Abstract
Background: Cisgender gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) account for a disproportionate number of new HIV diagnoses in the United States each year. Regular testing has been shown to be an impactful HIV prevention strategy. We sought to understand factors associated with HIV testing frequency among a sample of cisgender GBMSM in the United States.
Methods: Data were collected in the 2022–2023 cycle of the American Men's Internet Survey. This analysis was restricted to participants aged >15 years reporting anal sex with another man in the past 12 months, never having been diagnosed with HIV, no history of PrEP use, and living in the 50 states or District of Columbia (D.C.). HIV testing frequency was based on number of self-reported tests in the past two years: greater than annually (>2 tests), annually (2 tests), and less than annually (<2 tests). Crude and adjusted prevalence odds ratios (POR) were estimated using multinomial logistic regression.
Results: A total of 1,673 participants were included in this analysis. Most were 40 or older (54.9%) and non-Hispanic white (70.6%). Overall, 59%, 19%, and 22% reported less than annual, annual, and greater than annual HIV testing, respectively. In adjusted analyses, GBMSM 25-29, 30-29, and 40+ years old were more likely to test greater than annually (aPOR (95% CI): 1.99 (1.08, 3.67); 2.09 (1.22, 3.58); 2.03 (1.21, 3.40), respectively) compared to 15–24-year-old GBMSM. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic individuals were more likely to test greater than annually (aPOR (95% CI): 2.50 (1.58, 3.94); 2.20 (1.44, 3.35), respectively) than non-Hispanic White individuals. Those with a HS diploma or equivalent were less likely to test greater than annually (aPOR (95% CI): 0.54 (0.34, 0.85)) than individuals with a college degree or postgraduate education. In adjusted analyses, other factors associated with frequency of testing were education, urbanicity of residence, and PrEP eligibility status.
Discussion: Testing frequency is aligned with HIV risk for many respondents; however, there are still disparities in the HIV testing frequencies of GBMSM of varying sociodemographic backgrounds. Overall, there is a need for tailored testing mechanisms and the expansion of testing options to reduce barriers to uptake.
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