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Thought processes associated with reluctance in gay men to be tested for HIV
This study explored the thought processes that are associated with reluctance in gay men to be tested for HIV antibodies. The sample comprised 97 men who had not been tested for at least four years; 69 had never been tested. They were asked to imagine that someone had suggested that they be tested very soon and to identify, from the list provided, any negative thoughts prompted by this suggestion. The most commonly reported thoughts were that testing was unnecessary because risks had not been taken, that it was unnecessary because there were no symptoms, and that there was no urgency to be tested. Data were explored by means of factor analysis and comparisons across subgroups differing in risk level. The results are interpreted as indicating the use of rationalizations to buttress a decision not to be tested, the powerful influence on HIV decision-making exerted by salient perceptible features, and the ‘status quo bias’. Techniques that could be used to encourage testing in gay men are discussed.
History
Journal
International journal of STD & AIDSVolume
19Issue
11Pagination
775 - 779Publisher
SAGE PublicationsLocation
London, EnglandPublisher DOI
ISSN
0956-4624eISSN
1758-1052Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2008, SAGE PublicationsUsage metrics
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