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HIV testing self-efficacy is associated with higher HIV testing frequency and perceived likelihood to self-test among gay and bisexual men
- Source :
- Sexual Health. 14:170
- Publication Year :
- 2017
- Publisher :
- CSIRO Publishing, 2017.
-
Abstract
- Background Regular testing of individuals at higher-risk of HIV is central to current prevention strategies. The aim of the present study was to examine the extent to which confidence in one’s perceived ability to undertake various aspects of HIV testing and self-testing (self-efficacy) affected HIV testing outcomes. We assessed factors, including self-efficacy, associated with HIV testing frequency and the likelihood to self-test among gay and bisexual men (GBM). Methods: Participants were HIV-negative GBM at an increased risk of HIV (more than five partners or condomless anal intercourse in the previous 3 months) enrolled in a randomised controlled trial of HIV self-testing. The baseline questionnaire captured data regarding sociodemographic characteristics, HIV and/or sexually transmissible infection testing history, sexual behaviour, beliefs and attitudes towards HIV and eight items capturing confidence in HIV testing ability that were combined as a single broad measure of HIV testing self-efficacy (α = 0.81). Factors associated with three or more HIV tests in the past year and the likelihood of self-testing in the future were determined using logistic regression. Results: Of 354 GBM, 34% reported three or more HIV tests in the past year, and 64% reported being ‘very likely’ to self-test. Factors independently associated with three or more HIV tests in the past year were: higher self-efficacy (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.08 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.14; P = 0.004); >10 male partners in the past 6 months (aOR 1.79; 95% CI 1.05–3.04; P = 0.031) and higher optimism regarding the effects of HIV treatments on HIV transmission (aOR 1.14; 95% CI 1.00–1.29; P = 0.044). Only higher self-efficacy was independently associated with reporting a greater likelihood to self-test in the future (aOR 1.10; 95% CI 1.05–1.15; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Improving self-efficacy by enhancing GBM’s knowledge and experience may lead to higher testing frequency. The self-efficacy measure used in the present study could be useful in identifying GBM likely to face difficulties with HIV testing and self-testing.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Cross-sectional study
media_common.quotation_subject
HIV Infections
Logistic regression
law.invention
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Optimism
Randomized controlled trial
Risk Factors
law
Surveys and Questionnaires
Humans
Mass Screening
Medicine
030212 general & internal medicine
Homosexuality, Male
Mass screening
media_common
Self-efficacy
030505 public health
business.industry
Australia
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Odds ratio
Self Efficacy
Confidence interval
Cross-Sectional Studies
Infectious Diseases
Bisexuality
0305 other medical science
business
Demography
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14485028
- Volume :
- 14
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Sexual Health
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....b5c3c33d3d7ab1904e252674f42e0a2f
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1071/sh16100