Jaclyn Grimaldi

Abstract

• Can routine HIV testing reduce the stigma associated with HIV testing gay men ages 18-24? While many recommendations have been put in place for HIV testing and screening to reduce the number of infections, testing rates remain low specifically in young gay men ages 18-24. A main reason for low testing rates is due to the stigma associated with HIV, especially for those in the gay community.

Methods

• This is a tertiary narrative study to support the idea that routine HIV testing can reduce the stigma associated with HIV. Variables: Opt-in HIV testing vs. Opt-out HIV Testing

.

Results

• Results showed that many patients accepted the test when offered and did not ask to get tested if it was not offered. Main reasons for not asking to get tested were due to stigma associated with HIV including thoughts that the person was promiscuous or scared of how others will react if the test comes back positive. Studies were done in different settings such as clinics and emergency rooms.

References
Christopoulos, K., Weiser, S., Koester, K., Myers, J., White, D., Kaplan, B., Morin, S. (2012) Understanding patient acceptance and refusal of HIV testing in the emergency department. BMC Public Health 2012, 12:3

DeMarco, R., Gallagher, D., Bradley-Springer, L., Jones, S. (2012). Recommendations and reality: Perceived patient, provider, and policy barriers to implement routine HIV screening and proposed solutions. Nurse Outlook 60: 27-80.
Knight, Rod., Small, Will., Shoveller, Jean. (2015) HIV Stigma and the Experiences of Young Men with Voluntary and Routine HIV Testing. Sociology of Health and Illness Volume 8, Issue 1 p. 153-167.

Mahajan, A., Kinsler, J., Cunningham, W., James, S., Makam, L., Manchanda, R., Shapiro, M., Sayles, J. (2015) Does the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Recommendation of Opt-Out HIV Screening Impact the Effect of Stigma on HIV Test Acceptance? Springer Science and business Media 20:107-114

Smit, P., Brady, M., Carter, M., Fernandes, R., Lamore, L., Meulbroek, M., Ohayon, M., Platteu, T., Rehber, P., Rockstroh, J., and Thompson, M. (2012) HIV-related stigma within communities of gay men: A literature review. AIDS Care Vol. 24, No. 4, 405-412.