Correlates of Never Testing for HIV Among Non-Hispanic Black Men in the United States: National Survey of Family Growth, 2011-2013

Abstract

Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that persons between 15 and 64 years get tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at least once in their lifetime and persons with HIV risk factors get tested more frequently. There is limited research examining factors associated with never testing for HIV among non-Hispanic Black men in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of never testing for HIV, reasons for never testing for HIV, and correlates of never testing for HIV. We analyzed 2011-2013 National Survey of Family Growth data and restricted analyses to male respondents aged 15-44 years who self-identified as being non-Hispanic Black. Logistic regression models estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) assessing the association between socio-demographic and behavioral factors and never testing for HIV. An estimated 31.2 % of non-Hispanic Black males aged 15-44 years have never been tested for HIV. Non-Hispanic Black men aged 15-17 years (APR 4.45; 95 % CI 2.88-6.87) or 18-24 years (APR 1.94; 95 % CI 1.21-3.13), who did not visit a doctor or healthcare provider (APR 1.43; 95 % CI 1.10-1.86), or did not report any sexual risk behaviors in the past 12 months (APR 1.83; 95 % CI 1.34-2.51) were more likely to never test for HIV compared to their respective counterparts. Continued expansion of HIV testing initiatives and prevention programs that focus on non-Hispanic Black men is critical to addressing HIV-related health disparities and the public health burden of HIV in this population.

Keywords: HIV: testing; NSFG; Non-Hispanic Black men.