Impact of HIV testing on sexual health communication in South Africa

• Published in: Sexually transmitted infections Vol. 87; no. 3; pp. 242 - 247
• Main Authors: Scott-Sheldon, Lori A J, Carey, Michael P, Carey, Kate B, Cain, Demetria, Vermaak, Redwaan, Mthembu, Jacqueline, Harel, Ofer, Simbayi, Leickness C, Kalichman, Seth C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group 01.04.2011; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Adult; AIDS; Biological and medical sciences; Communication; Community; Condoms; Condoms - utilization; Counseling; Disclosure; Epidemiology. Vaccinations; Female; General aspects; Health Communication; HIV; HIV Infections - diagnosis; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human infectious diseases. Experimental studies and models; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Medical tests; Polls & surveys; Regression analysis; Risk Factors; Sexual Behavior; Sexual health; Social networks; South Africa; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Workers; South Africa; Africa; Infection; Immunopathology; Sexually transmitted disease; Viral disease; AIDS; Immune deficiency; Communication
• ISSN: 1368-4973; 1472-3263
• DOI: 10.1136/sti.2010.045732

ObjectivesThe South African government recently launched a national campaign to test 15 million South Africans for HIV by 2011. Little is known about how receipt of HIV testing might influence interpersonal communication. To explore these questions, the authors examined the effects of prior HIV testing on sexual health communication among South Africans.MethodsAdults (N=1284; 98% black, 36% women, mean age 31) residing in a South African township completed street-intercept surveys.ResultsOf the 1284 participants, 811 (63%) had been tested for HIV. Among those who had been tested, 77% tested negative, 12% tested positive, and 11% did not know their test result or refused to answer. Compared with those who had not been tested, participants who had been tested for HIV were more likely to communicate with community members about (a) HIV/AIDS, (b) getting tested for HIV, and (c) using condoms. Testing positive for HIV was associated with communication with sexual partners about condom use. Among participants who had been tested for HIV, exploratory analyses revealed that those who had engaged in sexual health communication with community members or sexual partners reported more condom-protected sex than those who had not engaged in sexual health communication.ConclusionsHIV testing is associated with sexual health communication among South African community members and sexual partners. Offering HIV testing to all South Africans may increase communication and lead to reductions in sexual risk.