AbstractObjectives: To evaluate factors that predict HIV testing using the model of health care utilisation as its conceptual framework and to analyse some of the factors that encourage or inhibit seeking an HIV test in this population.
Method: A cross sectional questionnaire study in two Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics in central Scotland. A final sample of 195 represented a 91% response rate. Participants were categorised by their HIV testing status (already tested, planning to be tested, no intention to seek testing).
Results: The ‘already tested’ and ‘planning to be tested’ groups were combined as there were no significant differences on reported risk behaviours. Analysis therefore compared two groups those ‘testing’ (n = 66) and ‘not testing’ (n = 129). 67% of those not tested for HIV reported at least one HIV risk factor. Perceived risk was the strongest predictor of HIV testing using our model. Perception of risk and actual risk were not correlated. Those not seeking testing endorsed less benefits of testing and more denial of the need to be tested. Same day testing and testing without an appointment were endorsed as factors to promote testing.
Conclusion: To encourage people who have high risk factors to access HIV testing, programmes should: (1) highlight the benefits of testing which would be lost if people do not test, eg. effective drug treatments (2) increase the range of HIV testing services available (eg. same day testing). Furthermore, studies to determine the main predictors of perceived risk are needed if we are to increase testing in relevant populations.
摘要目的:以医疗保健利用模式为概念框架,评估预测 HIV 检测的因素,并分析鼓励或抑制该人群寻求 HIV 检测的一些因素:以医疗保健利用模式为概念框架,评估预测 HIV 检测的因素,并分析鼓励或抑制该人群寻求 HIV 检测的一些因素:方法:在苏格兰中部的两家泌尿生殖医学(GUM)诊所进行横断面问卷调查。最终样本为 195 人,回复率为 91%。参与者按其 HIV 检测状况进行分类(已检测、计划检测、无意检测):由于在报告的危险行为方面没有显著差异,因此将 "已检测 "组和 "计划检测 "组合并。因此,分析比较了 "已检测 "组(66 人)和 "未检测 "组(129 人)。在未接受艾滋病毒检测的人群中,有 67% 的人报告了至少一种艾滋病毒风险因素。在我们的模型中,感知风险是预测 HIV 检测的最有力因素。对风险的感知与实际风险并不相关。不寻求检测的人对检测的好处认可度较低,而对检测的必要性则持否定态度。当天检测和无需预约的检测被认为是促进检测的因素:为了鼓励有高危因素的人接受 HIV 检测,项目应该(结论:为鼓励有高危因素的人群接受 HIV 检测,项目应:(1)强调检测的益处,如果人们不接受检测,就会失去这些益处,如有效的药物治疗(2)增加可提供的 HIV 检测服务的范围(如当天检测)。此外,如果我们要增加相关人群的检测,就需要开展研究,以确定感知风险的主要预测因素。