HIV TESTING FACTORS AMONG RURAL/SMALL CITY BLACK MEN

Overview: The study addresses the second new strategy for HIV prevention under CDC's Advancing HIV Prevention (AHP) initiative; the implementation of new models for diagnosing HIV infections outside medical.

The short-term objectives are to identify barriers and facilitators associated with HIV testing and disclosure of HIV+ test results among black males18 - 64 who self-identify as heterosexual--determining whether these differ by relationship type (wife, regular outside female sexual partner, causal female sexual partner, male sexual partner) and to determine if providing HIV testing options will result in increased acceptability of HIV testing.

The long-term objective is to develop an intervention to promote HIV testing and disclosure of HIV positive status to sexual partners that is cultural, gender, and region specific for rural/small city African American males who self-identify as heterosexual.  This research is funded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).