Majority of Americans have not been tested for HIV

AORN Journal, Jan, 2004

Results from a nationwide survey show that the majority lie, 59%) of heterosexual adults never have been tested for HIM/AIDS, according to a Nov 25, 2003, news re(ease from Witeck-Combs Communication and Harris Interactive. In contrast, only one-third (35%) of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender adults never have been tested.

Following are additional findings from the survey

* The majority (ie, 80%) of heterosexual respondents had not been tested because they did not believe they were at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.

* The majority of survey respondents said that their health care provider did not discuss HIV/AIDS prevention during their last medical visit. Twelve percent of gay, Lesbian, bisexual, and transgender adults said their provider discussed HIV testing, compared to only 3% of heterosexual adults' health care providers.

* When participants who had been tested for HIV/AIDS were asked about where they were tested, the majority reported being tested in a health care provider's office. Others reported being tested at hospitals, community health centers, public health departments, or in their workplaces.

* Of those who were tested, only 79% of gay, Lesbian, bisexual, and transgender respondents learned their test results, compared to 90% of heterosexual respondents.

* The top reasons that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender adults were tested included that they had engaged in risky behavior or were starting a new intimate relationship. In comparison, the main reason heterosexual adults were tested was because the test was offered by their health care provider.

* Regardless of the fact that the US Food and Drug Administration recently approved an HIV/AIDS test that produces results in 20 minutes, only 19% of gay, Lesbian, bisexual and transgender respondents and 5% of heterosexual respondents said they would be likely to undergo the test during their next visit to a health care provider.

This survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive in October 2003. A cross section of more than 2,000 adults age 18 or older participated, approximately 7% of whom identified themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.

6 of 10 Heterosexual Adults in America Have Not Been Tested for HIM, New National Survey Finds (news release, Rochester, NY: Witeck-Combs Communications/Harris Interactive, Nov 25, 2003) http://www.prnewswire.com (accessed 26 Nov 2003).