Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Patrick Tschida

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections affect more than 1.2 million people living in the United States and disproportionately affect African Americans (AA) men who have sex with men (MSM). The numbers of those who have HIV infections are likely higher due to lack of HIV testing by all individuals living at risk for HIV in the United States. Prior research has been inconclusive in determining the exact cause of the disparity among AA MSM. Therefore, the purpose of this quantitative secondary data study was to explore barriers to HIV testing within the AA MSM population. The sample for this study was a representative sampling from 2000-2016 from the national cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 344 African American men who have sex with men and had taken an HIV test. The theory used was the theory of stress, appraisal, and coping by Lazarus and Folkman. The research questions asked what variables (age, income, education status, depression, and access to health care) might be predictive of an HIV test result. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, chi-square, Hosmer and Lemeshow chi-square, and logistic regression analysis. Results revealed that age, income, and educational status were predictive of an HIV test result among AA MSM. Implications for positive social change include using the results of this study to develop an HIV prevention program and train patient navigators on coping strategies for reducing stress and fear of appraisal (stigma) among AA MSM, encouraging them to seek HIV testing and possibly decreasing the incidence and prevalence of HIV among AA MSM.

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