Predictors of follow-through on plans to be tested for HIV

Fewer than 40% of people in the United States with HIV risk factors have been tested. However, almost 40% of untested individuals with HIV risk factors in high AIDS prevalence cities stated in the 1991 National AIDS Behavioral Surveys (NABS) that they (1) "planned to be tested" or (2) "would get tested if no one could find out."

We used longitudinal data from the 1991 and 1992 NABS (n = 5,543), which are nationally representative telephone surveys. We assessed whether untested individuals were tested one year later, and we used logistic regressions to address two research questions: What are the predictors of testing among untested individuals? What are the predictors of testing among untested individuals who "planned to be tested" or "would get tested if no one could find out?"

We found that 30% of individuals who "planned to be tested," 16% of individuals who "would get tested if no one could find out," and 11% of persons with no intentions to be tested had been tested one year later (P < .001). In regression analyses, risk factors and higher education were key predictors of testing.

It is encouraging that 30% of individuals who plan to be tested did get tested within one year. Further research, however, needs to examine testing barriers for the 70% of individuals who do not follow through on testing plans. The results provide important information for targeting testing programs, developing effective public policies, and addressing the debate over issues such as name reporting and the availability of home HIV tests.