Document 0242
 DOCN  M9550242
 TI    When patients first suspect and find out they are infected with the
       human immunodeficiency virus: implications for prevention.
 DT    9505
 AU    Wenger NS; Kusseling FS; Beck K; Shapiro MF; Department of Medicine,
       University of California, Los Angeles; 90024-1736.
 SO    AIDS Care. 1994;6(4):399-405. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/95134775
 AB    To evaluate how individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency
       virus (HIV) became aware of their infection, when they first suspected
       they were infected with HIV and factors associated with suspecting HIV
       infection, we surveyed 227 patients at an urban outpatient HIV clinic.
       Though nearly all patients acknowledged risk factors for HIV, 60%
       reported that they did not suspect that they were infected until they
       received a positive HIV antibody test result. Non-white patients were
       less likely to suspect HIV infection prior to testing than white
       subjects (p < 0.03). Subjects not suspecting infection more often
       received HIV testing through a screening program or during a medical
       encounter (p = 0.02) and were less likely to be told by others that they
       might be infected (p = 0.001) than patients suspecting infection prior
       to testing. Forty-eight percent of subjects who suspected HIV infection
       prior to testing waited one year or more before obtaining their HIV
       antibody test. Interventions to reduce faulty personal HIV risk
       perception are needed to promote earlier HIV diagnosis.
 DE    *Adaptation, Psychological  Adolescence  Adult  *Awareness  AIDS
       Serodiagnosis/*PSYCHOLOGY  Female  Human  HIV Infections/*PREVENTION &
       CONTROL/PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  HIV
       Seropositivity/DIAGNOSIS/PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  Knowledge, Attitudes,
       Practice  Male  Middle Age  Risk Factors  Sex Behavior  *Sick Role
       Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  JOURNAL ARTICLE

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