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Anticipated and Actual Reactions to Receiving HIV Positive Results Through Self-Testing Among Gay and Bisexual Men

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Abstract

We explored anticipated and actual reactions to receiving HIV positive results through self-testing with a diverse group of 84 gay and bisexual men in New York City. Grounded Theory was used to investigate these reactions in a two-phase study, one hypothetical, followed by a practical phase in which self-tests were distributed and used. Three major themes emerged when participants were asked about their anticipated reactions to an HIV positive self-test result: managing emotional distress, obtaining HIV medical care, and postponing sexual activity. When participants were asked about their anticipated reactions to a partner’s HIV positive self-test result, five themes emerged: provide emotional support; refrain from engaging in sex with casual partner; avoid high-risk sexual activity with both main and casual partners; seek medical services; and obtain a confirmatory test result. Although none of the participants tested positive, seven of their partners did. Participants provided emotional support and linked their partners to support services. The availability of HIV self-testing kits offers potential opportunities to tackle HIV infection among individuals with high-risk practices.

Resumen

Exploramos las reacciones anticipadas y que ocurrieron al recibir un resultado de VIH positivo con el uso de la prueba de auto test de VIH en un grupo diverso de 84 hombres gay y bisexuales en la ciudad de Nueva York. Usamos la Teoría Fundamental para investigar estas reacciones en un estudio de dos fases, una fase hipotética, y la otra práctica en la cual las pruebas de auto test de VIH fueron distribuidas y usadas. Tres temas generales surgieron cuando le preguntamos a los participantes acerca de cómo ellos reaccionarían a un resultado positivo como resultado del uso de la prueba de auto test de VIH: brindar apoyo emocional, buscar atención médica para el VIH, y evitar la actividad sexual. En cuanto a sus reacciones en caso de que su pareja recibiera un resultado positivo, hubo cinco temas: brindar apoyo emocional; evitar la actividad sexual riesgosa con la pareja casual; participar en actividades sexuales no riesgosas con la pareja principal y casual; conectar a la pareja con servicios médicos; y el deseo de obtener una prueba confirmatoria para el VIH. Aunque ninguno de los participantes resultó ser positivo, siete de sus parejas sí recibieron resultados positivos. Los participantes que se encontraron en esta situación hablaron de cómo brindar apoyo emocional y conectar a la pareja con servicios de apoyo. La disponibilidad de la prueba casera ofrece oportunidades para abordar la infección del HIV en individuos con prácticas de alto riesgo.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a Grant from NIMH (R01 MH79692) to Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Ph.D., Principal Investigator. Additional support came from the National Institute of Mental Health to the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at NY State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University (T32-MH19139; Principal Investigator: Theo Sandfort, Ph.D.). The authors are extremely thankful to participants who volunteered their time and candidly expressed their opinions on very intimate topics.

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  1. HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, 722 West 168th St., Room 316, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Omar Martinez, Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Mobolaji Ibitoye, Timothy Frasca, William Brown & Iván Balan

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  1. Omar Martinez
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  2. Alex Carballo-Diéguez
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  3. Mobolaji Ibitoye
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  4. Timothy Frasca
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  6. Iván Balan
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Correspondence to Omar Martinez.

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Martinez, O., Carballo-Diéguez, A., Ibitoye, M. et al. Anticipated and Actual Reactions to Receiving HIV Positive Results Through Self-Testing Among Gay and Bisexual Men. AIDS Behav 18, 2485–2495 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0790-3

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