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Gay Men Who Are Not Getting Tested for HIV

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Abstract

Using data from Australian Gay Community Periodic Surveys 1998–2010, we assessed the prevalence, trends and characteristics of gay men not tested for HIV. In 2010, one in eight Australian gay socially-engaged men were never tested for HIV, most of them sexually active and 56.5 % reporting unprotected anal intercourse. The proportion of not tested men was significantly higher in men younger than 30, of non-European origin and living outside of gay metropolitan areas. Although frequency of testing was associated with sexual practices, significant proportions of men with multiple sex partners and reporting unprotected anal intercourse were not tested as recommended. There were issues with using gay-friendly testing services in gay metropolitan areas. Despite Australia’s success in HIV testing, improvement is needed for early detection of HIV infections. Interventions should encourage regular testing, engage with young gay men, improve access and convenience of testing, train service providers and expand testing options.

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Acknowledgments

Gay Community Periodic Survey in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, was funded by the NSW Health Department., in Victoria—by Victoria Department of Health, in Queensland—by Queensland Health, in Western Australia—by the Department of Health Western Australia, in South Australia—by the Department of Health South Australia, and in Australian Capital Territory (ACT)—by AIDS Council of ACT. This publication was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the position of the Australian Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia

    I. Zablotska, M. McKechnie & G. Prestage

  2. National Centre in HIV Social Research, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia

    M. Holt, J. de Wit & L. Mao

Authors
  1. I. Zablotska
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  2. M. Holt
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  3. J. de Wit
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  4. M. McKechnie
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  5. L. Mao
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  6. G. Prestage
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Correspondence to I. Zablotska.

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Zablotska, I., Holt, M., de Wit, J. et al. Gay Men Who Are Not Getting Tested for HIV. AIDS Behav 16, 1887–1894 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0184-3

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