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allied
academies
International Conference on
FAMILY MEDICINE AND FAMILY PHYSICIANS
October 16-17, 2017 | Toronto, Canada
Arch Gen Intern Med 2017 | Volume 1 Issue 3
H
IV infection continues to be a challenge to public health
after over three decades. A major driving source of this
epidemic is HIV infection among youth. Youth currently
account for over a fifth of new HIV infection in the United
States, and experience poorer health outcomes compared
to other age groups. In combating HIV infection among
youth, HIV testing has been found to be a major tool
for identifying those at risk or infected, counselling, and
linking to care. However, youth have the lowest rate of
HIV testing. This study explores the experiences of youth
aged 18–24, who proactively tested for HIV infection in
South Florida, using a qualitative descriptive method.
Data was collected with a demographic questionnaire and
through individual in-depth interviews. Interviews were
audio-recorded and data collected only once from each
participant. Twenty-five participants (N=25) were recruited,
enrolled and interviewed. The youth in this study identified
peer relationships, family support, privacy, and proximity
of testing centers as facilitators to proactive HIV testing.
Problems with confidentiality, stigma, cost, and not being
offered testing by a healthcare professional were identified
as barriers to proactive HIV testing. The findings from this
study will enable nurses create interventions both in clinical
and community settings that will facilitate proactive HIV
testing among youth. Furthermore, findings from this study
will assist nurses in creating testing sites that encourage
proactive HIV testing, and that are tailored to the needs of
youth.
e:
owa1@miami.eduProactive HIV testing among youth in south Florida
Oluwamuyiwa Winifred Adebayo
University of Miami, USA