National Centre in HIV Social Research

HIV testing: myths and assumptionsDr Martin Holt

Some myths/assumptions

• Rates of HIV testing are very high among gay men in Australia

• They are relatively high, but not the highest (and rates of testing may be exaggerated)

• Untested men are not at risk of HIV• They are less at risk, but some still take risks (15%

report UAIC; 48% live in capital cities)• Rapid HIV testing will remove all barriers to HIV

testing• No, it won’t; it will help, not solve everything.

HIV testing in the GCPS (national, adjusted)

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 20110%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

90.7% 88.9%

61.4%63.7%

Ever tested (all men)

Recently tested (non-HIV-positive men)

The proportion who have ever had an HIV test has fallen slightly over time (stable last 3 years).

Recent HIV testing (in the last 12 mths) has risen slightly over time, but stable in last three years.

Guy et al’s (2010) analysis of clinic records suggest that only 35% of men who meet the criteria for annual testing may actually test that often.

HIV testing among gay men/MSM internationally

Country Ever tested Recently tested (last 12 mths)

Source

USA(2003-2005)

92% 77% Nat HIV Behav Surveillance

Australia(2001-2011)

91% 63% GCPS

Canada(2005-2007)

86% (75% last 2 yrs) M-Track

France(2004)

86% (73% last 2 yrs) Gay Press survey

UK(2008)

72% 41% Gay Men’s Sex Survey

Some myths/assumptions

• Rates of HIV testing are very high among gay men in Australia

• They are relatively high, but not the highest (and rates of testing may be exaggerated)

• Untested men are not at risk of HIV• They are less at risk, but some still take risks (15%

report UAIC; 48% live in capital cities)• Rapid HIV testing will remove all barriers to HIV

testing• No, it won’t; it will help, not solve everything.

Some myths/assumptions

• Rates of HIV testing are very high among gay men in Australia

• They are relatively high, but not the highest (and rates of testing may be exaggerated)

• Untested men are not at risk of HIV• They are less at risk, but some still take risks

(e-male: 15% report UAIC; 48% live in capital cities)• Rapid HIV testing will remove all barriers to HIV

testing• No, it won’t; it will help, not solve everything.

Some myths/assumptions

• Rates of HIV testing are very high among gay men in Australia

• They are relatively high, but not the highest (and rates of testing may be exaggerated)

• Untested men are not at risk of HIV• They are less at risk, but some still take risks

(e-male: 15% report UAIC; 48% live in capital cities)• Rapid HIV testing will remove all barriers to HIV

testing• No, it won’t; it will help, not solve everything.