Document 0119
 DOCN  M9440119
 TI    HIV seroprevalence and reasons for refusing and accepting HIV testing.
 DT    9404
 AU    Jones JL; Hutto P; Meyer P; Dowda H; Gamble WB Jr; Gunn RA; South
       Carolina Department of Health, Columbia.
 SO    Sex Transm Dis. 1993 Nov-Dec;20(6):334-7. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94151710
 AB    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the HIV seropositivity
       of patients who refused or accepted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
       testing in a South Carolina sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic,
       and the patients' reasons for refusing or accepting testing. STUDY
       DESIGN: A serologic and self-administered survey done Jan. 9 through
       June 1, 1989. For those who refused HIV testing, a routine syphilis
       serology sample was tested blindly for HIV. RESULTS: Of 1,929 patients
       in the study, 398 (21%) refused HIV testing. HIV test refusers were 2.2
       times more likely to be HIV antibody positive than HIV test acceptors
       (3.0% versus 1.4%, prevalence ratio = 2.2, CI95 1.1-4.4), with this
       difference mainly occurring among males. Seven of eight patients
       reporting that they refused testing because they were HIV positive were
       found to be HIV negative. The principal reason indicated for test
       refusal was not feeling at risk for HIV infection. The principal reasons
       indicated for test acceptance were wanting to know the results for their
       own health status and wishing to prevent spread of the virus to
       partners. CONCLUSION: We conclude that: (1) a higher seropositivity
       exists among HIV test refusers than acceptors; (2) patient reporting HIV
       seropositivity should be viewed with caution; (3) many STD patients deny
       their risk for HIV; and (4) STD patients are concerned about
       transmission of HIV to their partners.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Aged  Child  Female  Human  HIV
       Seropositivity/DIAGNOSIS/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*PSYCHOLOGY  *HIV Seroprevalence
       Male  Middle Age  *Patient Acceptance of Health Care  Questionnaires
       South Carolina/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Treatment Refusal/PSYCHOLOGY  JOURNAL
       ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
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