Assessing Different Types of HIV Communication and Sociocultural Factors on Perceived HIV Stigma and Testing among a National Sample of Youth and Young Adults

Gamji M’Rabiu Abubakari, Martez D. R. Smith, Donte T. Boyd, S. Raquel Ramos, Courtney Johnson, Juan L. Benavides, Megan Threats, Junior L. Allen and Camille R. Quinn
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Gamji M’Rabiu Abubakari: School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
Martez D. R. Smith: School of Nursing, Rochester University, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
Donte T. Boyd: Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA), School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
S. Raquel Ramos: Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA), School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
Courtney Johnson: Ryan Chelsea-Clinton Community Health Center, New York, NY 10036, USA
Juan L. Benavides: College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Megan Threats: Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA), School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
Junior L. Allen: School of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Camille R. Quinn: College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 2, 1-11

Abstract: In the United States, racial/ethnic and sexual youth and young adults (YYA) of color are disproportionately affected by HIV. Subsequently, YYA experience HIV stigma and engage in increased risk behaviors and reduced HIV testing. HIV communication has been identified as a potential buffer to HIV stigma, resulting in health-seeking behaviors, such as HIV testing. In this study, we respond to a meaningful gap in the literature by examining different types of HIV communication and their impact on HIV stigma and HIV testing in a diverse sample of YYA. We analyzed secondary data from the Kaiser Family Foundation National Survey of Teens and Young Adults on HIV/AIDS. A 40-question, web-based survey was conducted with 1437 youth (ages 15–24). Recruitment included a dual sampling method from households with: (1) listed phone numbers, (2) unlisted phone numbers, (3) telephones, (4) no telephone, and (5) only cell phone access. The purpose of the survey was to establish participants’ HIV knowledge, communication, experiences, and testing behaviors. Findings suggested an association between intimate-partner HIV communication, increased HIV testing, and reduced HIV stigma. We also identified differentials in HIV testing and stigma based on gender, income, age, and sexual minority status, explained by HIV communication. Further research is needed that examines ways to use intimate-partner HIV communication to reduce stigma and increase HIV testing among YYA of different sociodemographic characteristics and sexual orientations.

Keywords: US youth and young adults; HIV stigma; HIV testing; HIV communication; partner communication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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