Correlates of Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections in a Northern Midwest Indigenous Community

Indigenous Peoples in the United States experience disproportionate burdens of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and viral hepatitis, but data about associated testing behaviors are limited. Given that substance use is a risk factor for STIs and viral hepatitis, there is a need for more research on testing behaviors among Indigenous people who use drugs. This research examines correlates of STI, HIV, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing among a sample of people who use drugs in a northern Midwest Indigenous community.

This community-based participatory research includes a survey among people who used drugs in a Northern Midwest reservation community (N = 227). We described when individuals were most recently tested for STIs, HIV, and HCV. We also examined correlates of past-year testing, including individual characteristics, drug use behaviors, sexual partners, and condom use.

Most participants had been tested for STIs (63%), HIV (60%), and HCV (65%) in their lifetime, whereas a quarter had been tested for STIs (33%), HIV (24%), and HCV (27%) in the past year. Recent testing for STI, HIV, and HCV was significantly associated with younger age, being a woman or gender minority, lifetime injection drug use, number of sex partners, and being willing to distribute HIV test kits.

This study is among the few to examine STI, HIV, and HCV screening behaviors in an Indigenous community and found that screening rates were suboptimal. Culturally relevant, Indigenous-led programs are essential to increase awareness and access to screening and ultimately address critical public health disparities.