252867 Being “out” in the Midwest: A social determinant for improved HIV knowledge and testing

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Jessica Chavez , College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Christopher Fisher, PhD , Department of Health Promotion, Social & Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Jason D. Coleman, PhD, MSPH , School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE
Jay Irwin, PhD , Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE
Background: Few studies on HIV knowledge and testing behaviors have been conducted in the Midwest with the exception of large cities (i.e., Chicago). This study sought to describe the relationships between HIV knowledge and testing behavior, depression and “outness” in Nebraska, a predominantly rural, low-incidence state, among self-identified Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (GBT) individuals.

Methods: A community-based participatory research approach was utilized to develop an online survey. Participants (N = 583) were recruited via advertisements, press releases, and e-mail lists. Measures included an HIV/AIDS knowledge scale, HIV testing behaviors, a depression scale, and an “outness” scale.

Results: Most participants were male (n = 457, 79.1%) and white (n = 517, 90.4%) with a mean age of 35.44. HIV knowledge scores were relatively high at a mean of 15.81 of a possible 18 (range 0-18, SD = 2.74). Participants who had been tested for HIV (n=423, 73.1%) had significantly higher HIV knowledge, t(561) = 6.431, p < .01. Those tested for HIV were more “out,” t (518) = 4.886, p < .01 and had fewer symptoms of depression, t (568) = 2.132, p < .05. No rural versus urban differences were found.

Conclusion: High HIV knowledge scores may reflect successful HIV/AIDS education, particularly education that accompanies HIV testing. Nebraska has a single AIDS Service Organization that serves the entire state. This may help maximize resources to ensure more testing and education in a largely rural context. Those open about their GBT identity may feel less anxious about HIV testing confidentiality or stigma.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control

Learning Objectives:
Describe the relationships among HIV knowledge and testing and depression and "outness." Discuss "outness" as a social determinant of health for gay, bisexual and transgender midwesterners.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Gay

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I assisted in the data collection and did the analysis for this abstract.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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