Dr Martin Holt discussed the data relating to three key assumptions about the Australian HIV epidemic: rates of HIV testing are very high among gay men in Australia; untested men are not at risk of HIV; and rapid HIV testing will remove all barriers to HIV testing.

1. HIV testing: myths and assumptions
Dr Martin Holt
National Centre in HIV Social Research

2. Some myths/assumptions
• Rates of HIV testing are very high among gay men
in Australia
• They are relatively high, but not the highest (and
rates of testing may be exaggerated)
• Untested men are not at risk of HIV
• They are less at risk, but some still take risks (15%
report UAIC; 48% live in capital cities)
• Rapid HIV testing will remove all barriers to HIV
testing
• No, it won’t; it will help, not solve everything.

3. HIV testing in the GCPS (national, adjusted)
100%
90.7%
90% 88.9%
80% The proportion who have ever had an HIV test has fallen slightly over time
(stable last 3 years).
70%
61.4%
63.7%
60%
50% Ever tested (all
Recent HIV testing (in the last 12 mths) has risen slightly over time, but
stable in last three years. men)
40%
Guy et al’s (2010) analysis of clinic records suggest that only 35% of men Recently tested
30% who meet the criteria for annual testing may actually test that often. (non-HIV-positive
men)
20%
10%
0%
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

4. HIV testing among gay men/MSM internationally
Country Ever tested Recently tested Source
(last 12 mths)
USA 92% 77% Nat HIV Behav
(2003-2005) Surveillance
Australia 91% 63% GCPS
(2001-2011)
Canada 86% (75% last 2 yrs) M-Track
(2005-2007)
France 86% (73% last 2 yrs) Gay Press survey
(2004)
UK 72% 41% Gay Men’s Sex
(2008) Survey

5. Some myths/assumptions
• Rates of HIV testing are very high among gay men
in Australia
• They are relatively high, but not the highest (and
rates of testing may be exaggerated)
• Untested men are not at risk of HIV
• They are less at risk, but some still take risks (15%
report UAIC; 48% live in capital cities)
• Rapid HIV testing will remove all barriers to HIV
testing
• No, it won’t; it will help, not solve everything.

6. Some myths/assumptions
• Rates of HIV testing are very high among gay men
in Australia
• They are relatively high, but not the highest (and
rates of testing may be exaggerated)
• Untested men are not at risk of HIV
• They are less at risk, but some still take risks
(e-male: 15% report UAIC; 48% live in capital cities)
• Rapid HIV testing will remove all barriers to HIV
testing
• No, it won’t; it will help, not solve everything.

7. Some myths/assumptions
• Rates of HIV testing are very high among gay men
in Australia
• They are relatively high, but not the highest (and
rates of testing may be exaggerated)
• Untested men are not at risk of HIV
• They are less at risk, but some still take risks
(e-male: 15% report UAIC; 48% live in capital cities)
• Rapid HIV testing will remove all barriers to HIV
testing
• No, it won’t; it will help, not solve everything.