Document 0336
 DOCN  M9590336
 TI    Patterns of serologic testing in HIV-1 seronegative men.
 DT    9509
 AU    Grunseit AC; Rodden P; Crawford J; Kippax S; National Centre for HIV
       Social Research, Macquarie University,; North Ryde, NSW.
 SO    Annu Conf Australas Soc HIV Med. 1994 Nov 3-6;6:162 (unnumbered
       abstract). Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ASHM6/95291763
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To study factors in the repeated use of the HIV-antibody test
       in 903 seronegative, homosexually active men from a 1992 national
       telephone survey who reported substantial use of the test. METHOD: Two
       sub-groups were defined & examined: The 'event-related'(ER) group took
       the test when motivated by a particular incident (e.g condom breaking).
       The 'time-related'(TR) group took the test at regular time intervals
       irrespective of any particular risk-related event. Univariate and
       multivariate analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The ER group were more
       likely to have a condom break in the last 6 months & the TR group were
       more likely to have had in excess of 5 HIV tests, & to have been tested
       within the last 6 months. A discriminant function test did distinguish
       between the groups. A regression analysis performed on the TR group
       alone found current sexual relationships, safety of sex with men, using
       HIV-testing as a preventative strategy against infection, age, &
       knowledge of safe sexual practice to be significant predictors of test
       frequency (R2 = 10.5%). It appears that those who have only casual
       partners tend to test more frequently, as do those who engage in anal
       sex (irrespective of condom use). Further, there are men who receive HIV
       tests regularly who remain unsure about safe sexual practice.
       IMPLICATIONS: Although this research needs further clarification, it
       suggests that there is over-use of the test by those whose practices are
       adequately minimising their risk & by some people who may use the test
       as a substitute for safe sexual practice.
 DE    AIDS Serodiagnosis/PSYCHOLOGY/*UTILIZATION  Condoms/STATISTICS & NUMER
       DATA  Health Services Misuse  Homosexuality, Male/PSYCHOLOGY  Human  HIV
       Infections/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  *HIV
       Seronegativity  *HIV-1  Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice  Male  New South
       Wales/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Risk Factors  Sex Behavior  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).