Pharr Jennifer R, Lough Nancy L, Ezeanolue Echezona E
University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Glob J Health Sci. 2015 Nov 3;8(7):9-17. doi: 10.5539/gjhs.v8n7p9.
Clark County, Nevada had a 52% increase in newly diagnosed HIV infections in young people age 13-24 with 83% of the new diagnoses in this age group being men who have sex with men (MSM). HIV testing and counseling is critical for HIV prevention, care and treatment, yet young people are the least likely to seek HIV testing. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators to HIV testing experienced by young MSM in Clark County, Nevada. We conducted a qualitative focus group discussion to identify barriers and facilitators to HIV testing among eleven young MSM in March, 2015. The primary barrier to HIV testing identified by the group was a lack of awareness or knowledge about testing for HIV. Other barriers within the person included: fear of results, fear of rejection, and fear of disclosure. Barriers identified within the environment included: access issues, stigma, and unfriendly test environments for young people. In addition to increasing awareness, intervention to increase HIV testing among MSM young people should incorporate access to testing in environments where the adolescents are comfortable and which reduces stigma. HIV testing sites should be convenient, accessible and young person/gay friendly.
内华达州克拉克县13至24岁年轻人中新诊断出的艾滋病毒感染病例增加了52%，该年龄组新诊断病例中有83%是男男性行为者（MSM）。艾滋病毒检测和咨询对于艾滋病毒的预防、护理和治疗至关重要，但年轻人最不可能寻求艾滋病毒检测。本研究的目的是确定内华达州克拉克县年轻男男性行为者在艾滋病毒检测方面遇到的障碍和促进因素。2015年3月，我们进行了一次定性焦点小组讨论，以确定11名年轻男男性行为者在艾滋病毒检测方面的障碍和促进因素。该小组确定的艾滋病毒检测的主要障碍是对艾滋病毒检测缺乏认识或了解。个人方面的其他障碍包括：对检测结果的恐惧、对被拒绝的恐惧以及对暴露隐私的恐惧。环境方面的障碍包括：检测机会问题、耻辱感以及对年轻人不友好的检测环境。除了提高认识外，针对增加男男性行为年轻人的艾滋病毒检测的干预措施应包括在青少年感到舒适且能减少耻辱感的环境中提供检测机会。艾滋病毒检测地点应方便、易到达且对年轻人/同性恋者友好。
