Impact of Perceived Differences in Race based Treatment on HIV Screening in Adults

Background: CDC estimates that one in five persons living with HIV in 2006 were unaware of their infection. It recommends routine screening for HIV for all individuals between 13 and 64 years of age regardless of recognized risk factors. Very few studies describe the effect of perceived differences in race based treatment experience on prevalence of HIV Screening in adults.

Objective: Purpose of this study is to describe the effect of perceived differences in race based treatment experience on the prevalence of HIV screening in adults.

Methods: Cross sectional study of 2008, Behavioral risk factor Surveillance system (BRFSS) Survey analysis involving 5,735,496 adults between age 18 and 64 years. Analysis done using SAS version 9.2

Main Outcome Measure: Self-reported testing for HIV defined as “Adults aged 18-64 that have ever been tested for HIV- yes or no” as indicated on the survey.

Results: Adults who reported a perceived differential race based treatment experience were significantly less likely to test for HIV than adults who did not report similar experience. (Adjusted odds ratio =0.69{95% CI: 0.68-0.69}). Amongst adults with any health care coverage, a majority did not have had a screening test for HIV at all (60% vs. 40%).

Conclusions: Adults who reported being treated differently because of their racial characteristic were less likely to be screened for HIV. These findings suggest that perceived differences in race-based treatment or racial discrimination may be a predictor of HIV screening in certain populations. More research is needed in future to support the evidence.