The impact of stigma on HIV testing decisions for gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Stigmatization may prompt gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men (GBQMSM) to avoid or delay HIV testing. There has been little attention to GBQMSMs’ perspectives about how stigma may influence their decisions about whether, where, and how often to get tested for...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12761-5 |
| _version_ | 1819294685111255040 |
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| author | Bradley E. Iott Jimena Loveluck Akilah Benton Leon Golson Erin Kahle Jason Lam José A. Bauermeister Tiffany C. Veinot |
| author_facet | Bradley E. Iott Jimena Loveluck Akilah Benton Leon Golson Erin Kahle Jason Lam José A. Bauermeister Tiffany C. Veinot |
| author_sort | Bradley E. Iott |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Stigmatization may prompt gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men (GBQMSM) to avoid or delay HIV testing. There has been little attention to GBQMSMs’ perspectives about how stigma may influence their decisions about whether, where, and how often to get tested for HIV. Methods We conducted nine focus groups with 64 adult GBQMSM in Metropolitan Detroit, including HIV-negative men and people living with HIV (PLWH). Data were thematically analyzed deductively and inductively in three rounds. Results Three themes emerged regarding whether to get tested: (1) Perceived promiscuity, risk perceptions and HIV testing; (2) Fearing sexual rejection; and (3) Fearing friend and family member distancing and rejection. Themes concerning where to get tested included: (4) Conflating HIV testing and diagnosis; and (5) Seeking privacy and safety at specialized services. As for how often to get tested, themes included: (6) Reducing contact with healthcare providers due to intersectional stigma; (7) Responsibility and regular testing; and (8) HIV stigma and testing as routine care. Black participants articulated themes (3), (4), and (6) with greater frequency than other participants. Framing HIV testing as a personal responsibility may have created a “new stigma,” with unintended consequences not observed with “routine healthcare” messaging. Conclusions GBQMSMs’ perspectives indicate the potential for new foci for HIV testing promotion interventions based on stigma-related issues that they deem important. There is a need for interventions to challenge the “promiscuity” stereotype, and to reduce the sexual stigmatization of GBQMSM living with HIV/AIDS—especially online. Provider stigma requires both intervention and continued availability of specialized services. Future stigma-reduction interventions for Black GBQMSM could focus on building family support/acceptance, awareness of multiple testing options, and integrating LGBTQ-related issues into initiatives for racial justice in health care. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-24T04:30:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-df31e0357bb24f4db92ecab65973a92d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-24T04:30:15Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-df31e0357bb24f4db92ecab65973a92d2022-12-21T17:15:27ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-03-0122111710.1186/s12889-022-12761-5The impact of stigma on HIV testing decisions for gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men: a qualitative studyBradley E. Iott0Jimena Loveluck1Akilah Benton2Leon Golson3Erin Kahle4Jason Lam5José A. Bauermeister6Tiffany C. Veinot7School of Information, University of MichiganWashtenaw County Health DepartmentDetroit Health Department, City of DetroitUnified – HIV Health and BeyondSchool of Nursing, University of MichiganSchool of Information, University of MichiganSchool of Nursing, University of PennsylvaniaSchool of Information, University of MichiganAbstract Background Stigmatization may prompt gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men (GBQMSM) to avoid or delay HIV testing. There has been little attention to GBQMSMs’ perspectives about how stigma may influence their decisions about whether, where, and how often to get tested for HIV. Methods We conducted nine focus groups with 64 adult GBQMSM in Metropolitan Detroit, including HIV-negative men and people living with HIV (PLWH). Data were thematically analyzed deductively and inductively in three rounds. Results Three themes emerged regarding whether to get tested: (1) Perceived promiscuity, risk perceptions and HIV testing; (2) Fearing sexual rejection; and (3) Fearing friend and family member distancing and rejection. Themes concerning where to get tested included: (4) Conflating HIV testing and diagnosis; and (5) Seeking privacy and safety at specialized services. As for how often to get tested, themes included: (6) Reducing contact with healthcare providers due to intersectional stigma; (7) Responsibility and regular testing; and (8) HIV stigma and testing as routine care. Black participants articulated themes (3), (4), and (6) with greater frequency than other participants. Framing HIV testing as a personal responsibility may have created a “new stigma,” with unintended consequences not observed with “routine healthcare” messaging. Conclusions GBQMSMs’ perspectives indicate the potential for new foci for HIV testing promotion interventions based on stigma-related issues that they deem important. There is a need for interventions to challenge the “promiscuity” stereotype, and to reduce the sexual stigmatization of GBQMSM living with HIV/AIDS—especially online. Provider stigma requires both intervention and continued availability of specialized services. Future stigma-reduction interventions for Black GBQMSM could focus on building family support/acceptance, awareness of multiple testing options, and integrating LGBTQ-related issues into initiatives for racial justice in health care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12761-5StigmaHIV testingDecision-makingMen who have sex with menDetroit |
| spellingShingle | Bradley E. Iott Jimena Loveluck Akilah Benton Leon Golson Erin Kahle Jason Lam José A. Bauermeister Tiffany C. Veinot The impact of stigma on HIV testing decisions for gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men: a qualitative study BMC Public Health Stigma HIV testing Decision-making Men who have sex with men Detroit |
| title | The impact of stigma on HIV testing decisions for gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men: a qualitative study |
| title_full | The impact of stigma on HIV testing decisions for gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | The impact of stigma on HIV testing decisions for gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of stigma on HIV testing decisions for gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men: a qualitative study |
| title_short | The impact of stigma on HIV testing decisions for gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | impact of stigma on hiv testing decisions for gay bisexual queer and other men who have sex with men a qualitative study |
| topic | Stigma HIV testing Decision-making Men who have sex with men Detroit |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12761-5 |
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