The social impact of HIV testing: a comparative analysis of Britain and Sweden

The role of HIV testing in the primary prevention of HIV is as yet unclear. Whereas most outcome evaluations have tended to focus on the impact of HIV testing and counselling on individuals' risk behaviours, this paper argues for a fresh perspective on HIV testing which takes into account its social impact. To illustrate the importance of the social impact of HIV testing, the paper compares HIV testing policies in the context of HIV prevention in Britain and in Sweden. It shows how contrasting representations of HIV testing and different practices around testing have had different social, economic and public health consequences in the two countries. The paper concludes with a recommendation that policy makers take fuller account of the social dimension of HIV testing in the future development of HIV testing policies.