Abstract
Hispanic adolescents are disproportionally impacted by HIV/AIDS. Among Hispanic people living with HIV, delayed testing and late entry into HIV care have been documented. The current study examined Hispanic adolescents’ HIV testing characteristics and factors related to testing. Adolescents aged 13–16 (N = 223) completed a survey on HIV testing motivation, perceptions, and experience, sexual behavior, and substance use. Results indicate few adolescents (9 %) had taken an HIV test. Among those who have not been tested, 32.5 % expressed interest in testing. HIV testing was favorably perceived with 82.4 % reported testing should be done with all youth or those are sexually active. Adolescents who had engaged in high risk behaviors (history of sexual intercourse, substance use) were more likely to have been tested or to express interest in testing. Given that HIV testing is positively perceived by Hispanic adolescents, prevention efforts should focus on minimizing barriers and enhancing accessibility to HIV screening.
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Acknowledgments
Funding for this study was provided by a Nova Southeastern University President’s Faculty Research and Development Grant. The authors would like to thank Juan Carlos Sanchez, Elisa Leeder, Brett Simpson, Sohani Barrientos, Christina Allen, and Danille Wright for their work on data collection. We are grateful to the following community leaders for their assistance with participant recruitment: William Sanchez and Jeorge Vega from the City of Hialeah Parks and Recreation and Early Prevention/Intervention Program, Sharon Dziedzic from the City of Hialeah Young Leaders with Character Program, Lilah Ross from Masters Preparatory School, and Julia Hidalgo from John F. Kennedy Library.
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Ma, M., Malcolm, L., Diaz-Albertini, K. et al. HIV Testing Characteristics Among Hispanic Adolescents. J Community Health 41, 11–14 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-015-0056-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-015-0056-7