HIV testing behaviors among Latinos in Baltimore City

J Immigr Minor Health. 2012 Aug;14(4):540-51. doi: 10.1007/s10903-012-9573-y.

Abstract

In the US, HIV disproportionately affects Latinos who often present late in the disease. Baltimore has seen a recent rapid growth in its Latino population paralleled by an increasing impact of HIV/AIDS among Latinos. From 2009 to 2010, we performed a cross-sectional survey of Latinos accessing the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) Latino Outreach services to assess self-report of previous HIV testing, with particular attention to migration history and risk behaviors. Of 247 Latinos (46% male) accessing BCHD outreach services, 96% were foreign-born. Self-perceived HIV risk was not associated with actual risk behaviors or HIV testing. In multivariate models, previous HIV testing was correlated with knowledge of HIV transmission modes and knowing that a person with HIV can appear healthy. Consistent with CDC recommendations, HIV screening among Latino immigrants should not be limited to individuals with self-perceived risk for HIV. Promoting key pieces of HIV knowledge may improve HIV testing behaviors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Serodiagnosis / statistics & numerical data*
  • Acculturation
  • Adult
  • Baltimore / epidemiology
  • Community-Institutional Relations
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / ethnology*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / ethnology*
  • Hispanic or Latino / ethnology
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / ethnology*
  • Sex Factors
  • Sexual Behavior / ethnology
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Transients and Migrants
  • Young Adult