Internet use associated with HIV testing in adults in a national sample: Findings from the National Health Interview Survey, 2009

BACKGROUND: Routine Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing is a CDC recommendation. Little is known about health information technology (HIT) use and HIV testing. PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between HIT use and HIV screening and determine whether self-perceived HIV risk modifies this association. METHODS: Data from the National Health Interview Survey were analyzed. The survey response rate was 65.4%. The outcome was self-report of HIV testing (Y/N). Independent variables were HIT use, self-perceived HIV risk, and socio-demographics. HIT use is defined as internet or chat room use for health information. Logistic regression tested the association between HIV testing and HIT. Crude and adjusted models are reported. RESULTS: Of participants with data on HIV testing (n = 26,745), 40% reported being HIV tested, 52% used internet, and 4.2% used chat rooms. Internet and chat users had greater odds ratios for HIV testing (OR 1.8 95% CI (1.7, 1.9) and OR 1.7 95% CI (1.4, 2.0), respectively). Adjusting for covariates, internet use remained associated with HIV testing OR 1.4 95% CI (1.2, 1.7), but chat use did not. Self-perceived HIV risk did not modify this model. CONCLUSION: Internet use was associated with higher odds of HIV testing in the general population. Promotion of HIV testing via online sources may benefit screening efforts.