TY - JOUR
T1 - HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM)
T2 - Systematic review of qualitative evidence
AU - Lorenc, Theo
AU - Marrero-Guillamón, Isaac
AU - Llewellyn, Alexis
AU - Aggleton, Peter
AU - Cooper, Chris
AU - Lehmann, Angela
AU - Lindsay, Catriona
PY - 2011/10
Y1 - 2011/10
N2 - We conducted a systematic review of qualitative evidence relating to the views and attitudes of men who have sex with men (MSM) concerning testing for HIV. Studies conducted in high-income countries (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development members) since 1996 were included. Seventeen studies were identified, most of gay or bisexual men. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis methodology. The uncertainty of unknown HIV status is an important motive for testing; however, denial is also a common response to uncertainty. Fear of the consequences of a positive HIV test is widespread and may take several forms. A sense of responsibility towards oneself or one's partner may be a motive for testing. The perception of stigma, from other gay men or from the wider culture, is a barrier to testing. Gay and other MSM have clear preferences regarding testing services, particularly for those that are community based, include non-judgemental and gay-positive service providers, and offer a high degree of confidentiality.
AB - We conducted a systematic review of qualitative evidence relating to the views and attitudes of men who have sex with men (MSM) concerning testing for HIV. Studies conducted in high-income countries (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development members) since 1996 were included. Seventeen studies were identified, most of gay or bisexual men. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis methodology. The uncertainty of unknown HIV status is an important motive for testing; however, denial is also a common response to uncertainty. Fear of the consequences of a positive HIV test is widespread and may take several forms. A sense of responsibility towards oneself or one's partner may be a motive for testing. The perception of stigma, from other gay men or from the wider culture, is a barrier to testing. Gay and other MSM have clear preferences regarding testing services, particularly for those that are community based, include non-judgemental and gay-positive service providers, and offer a high degree of confidentiality.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/80052720036
U2 - 10.1093/her/cyr064
DO - 10.1093/her/cyr064
M3 - Review article (Academic Journal)
C2 - 21873612
AN - SCOPUS:80052720036
SN - 0268-1153
VL - 26
SP - 834
EP - 846
JO - Health Education Research
JF - Health Education Research
IS - 5
ER -
