Abstract
Abstract
Individuals unaware of their HIV seropositive status continue to represent a key “driver” of the HIV epidemic. Strategies to improve initiation into the HIV treatment cascade, including among young men, are required. This study assesses the acceptability of three HIV testing options among young cisgender men living in Vancouver, British Columbia. Using a modified grounded theory approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 45 young cisgender men ages 18–30 years to identify the factors influencing the acceptability of diverse HIV testing approaches. Participants ascribed value to non-nominal testing as a means of providing a secure pathway to HIV-related care for those who test positive while also safeguarding privacy. Anonymous HIV testing was problematized by participants as potentially creating difficulty in accessing ongoing HIV-related care. Most participants preferred non-nominal testing. Nevertheless, based on principles of equity, we argue that anonymous access to one's serostatus should be available, especially within a criminalized context.
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Subject
Advanced and Specialized Nursing
Reference23 articles.
1. Promoting regular testing: an examination of HIV and STI testing routines and associated socio-demographic, behavioral and social-cognitive factors among men who have sex with men in New South Wales, Australia;Adam;AIDS and Behavior,2014
2. Time to decriminalize HIV Non-Disclosure;Annamanthadoo;HIV Legal Network,2022
3. Men's attitudes towards chlamydia screening: a narrative review;Balfe;Sexual Health,2012
4. Factors impacting HIV testing: A review - Perspectives from Australia, Canada, and the UK;Bolsewicz;AIDS Care,2015
5. on, & behalf of the testing treatment target Working, G;Frescura;PLoS One,2022