Current behavioral, socioeconomic and demographic determinants of lifetime HIV testing among African Americans in the deep south

Abstract

Objective: The Southern region of the United States (US) experiences higher HIV related disparities, majority of new HIV infections are transmitted by individuals who are unaware of their status. African Americans constitute 44% of HIV diagnosis in the US, and African American gay and bisexual men accounted for the largest number of new HIV diagnosis in 2016. Methods: Data from nine southern states in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2016 was analyzed using logistic regression.Results: We found Individuals less likely to test for HIV included: heterosexuals, married individuals, living in a nonMetropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), others (retirees, students and homemakers), older than 65 years and/or with less than high school education.Conclusion: Amid finite resources, interventions for HIV testing among African Americans should focus more on theseindividuals who are less likely to be aware of their HIV status, further contributing to new HIV infections.