The objective of this study is to determine the effect of providing written information about HIV testing on patient knowledge and test uptake. Patients attending our genitourinary medicine clinic in July 2003 were offered written information about HIV and the test. They were asked to complete a questionnaire which elicited knowledge provided on the leaflet. A control group of individuals were offered verbal discussion only.A total of 382 questionnaires were completed. Individuals given written information were more likely to believe that HIV could not be transmitted by insect bites (P = 0.01), more aware of current treatments and that a negative test would not affect a future mortgage application (P = 0.001). There was no difference in test uptake or reasons for declining a test in both groups. Providing written information on HIV testing increases patient knowledge, but does not affect test uptake.