Pamela Payne Foster1, Safiya George Dalmida2, Graham J McDougall2. 1. Institute for Rural Health Research, College of Community Health Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA. 2. Capstone College of Nursing, University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Of more than 1.2 million people in the United States (US) living with HIV infection, almost 1 in 8 (12.8%) are unaware of their infection. The introduction of a rapid HIV test using a saliva sample in 2004 made immediate results possible in community-based settings. Despite use of salivary rapid testing (SRT) over the last ten years, not enough is known about barriers to and acceptability of SRT among African Americans (AAs). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with SRT for HIV among AAs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 329 AA men and women recruited from a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic. RESULTS: Results of study showed that participants with higher AIDS knowledge (p<0.001) and problem-focused coping (p<0.003) tended to have higher likelihood for participation in testing. In terms of seeking medical help, participants with lower emotional-focused coping, lower risky behavior and higher AIDS knowledge tended to be more likely to seek medical help (p=0.015, p<0.001, p<0.04, respectively). Female participants with higher values of risky behavior tended to be more likely to participate in testing (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the need to assess barriers and facilitators to testing decisions in order to increase testing rates. In particular, AIDS knowledge and either problem or emotional-focused coping and risky behaviors, based on gender may be important in making testing and care entry decisions.
BACKGROUND: Of more than 1.2 million people in the United States (US) living with HIV infection, almost 1 in 8 (12.8%) are unaware of their infection. The introduction of a rapid HIV test using a saliva sample in 2004 made immediate results possible in community-based settings. Despite use of salivary rapid testing (SRT) over the last ten years, not enough is known about barriers to and acceptability of SRT among African Americans (AAs). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with SRT for HIV among AAs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 329 AA men and women recruited from a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic. RESULTS: Results of study showed that participants with higher AIDS knowledge (p<0.001) and problem-focused coping (p<0.003) tended to have higher likelihood for participation in testing. In terms of seeking medical help, participants with lower emotional-focused coping, lower risky behavior and higher AIDS knowledge tended to be more likely to seek medical help (p=0.015, p<0.001, p<0.04, respectively). Female participants with higher values of risky behavior tended to be more likely to participate in testing (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the need to assess barriers and facilitators to testing decisions in order to increase testing rates. In particular, AIDS knowledge and either problem or emotional-focused coping and risky behaviors, based on gender may be important in making testing and care entry decisions.
Authors: Safiya George Dalmida; Katryna McCoy; Harold G Koenig; Aretha Miller; Marcia McDonnell Holstad; Tami Thomas; Dora Clayton-Jones; Mary Grant; Terri Fleming; Menka Munira Wirani; George Mugoya Journal: J Relig Health Date: 2017-12
Authors: Huanguang Jia; Constance R Uphold; Samuel Wu; Kimberly Reid; Kimberly Findley; Pamela W Duncan Journal: AIDS Patient Care STDS Date: 2004-10 Impact factor: 5.078