Table 3

Risk perception, barriers to testing and final model of factors independently associated with late presentation at HIV diagnosis in Venezuela, Carabobo State.


Late presenters
Total







n
%
n
OR* (95%CI)
P-value

PERCEPTION OF RISK





Felt at risk of HIV infection (asked directly)b





     No
26
41.9
62
1
-
     Yes
25
37.3
67
0.83 (0.39–1.79)
0.638
No perception of risk (mentioned as barrier)b (n = 122)





     Not mentioned
36
35.0
103
1
-
     Mentioned
12
63.2
19
4.33 (1.40–13.33)
0.011
Health-seeking behaviour when felt at riskb,† (n = 65)





     No health-seeking behaviour
14
45.2
31
1
-
     Protect oneself or seek advice family/friends/partner
6
37.5
16
0.52 (0.13–2.05)
0.347
     Seek advice health centre/CAI
3
16.7
18
0.19 (0.04–0.88)
0.034
BARRIERS TO TESTING





Confidentiality testing siteb,‡ (n = 117)





     Not mentioned
39
37.9
103
1
-
     Mentioned
8
57.1
14
2.30 (0.71–7.50)
0.167
Fear for stigmab,§ (n = 125)





     Not mentioned
35
37.6
93
1
-
     Mentioned
14
43.8
32
1.41 (0.60–3.33)
0.434
Logistic constraintsb, ** (n = 119)





     Not mentioned
39
36.4
107
1
-
     Mentioned
8
66.7
12
3.95 (1.05–14.81)
0.042
Having no signs or symptomsb





     Not mentioned
38
33.6
113
1
-
     Mentioned
13
81.3
16
4.33 (1.40–13.33)
0.011
Not-wanting-to-know HIV-statusb (n = 127)





     Not mentioned
36
35.0
103
1
-
     Mentioned
14
58.3
24
2.53 (0.93–6.86)
0.069
Distance to CAIa





     ≤ 25 km
71
37.0
192
1
-
     > 25 km
20
60.6
33
3.15 (1.39–7.14)
0.006
Final model of factors independently associated with late presentation at HIV diagnosis (n = 123/129)
     Factors



OR†† (95% CI)
P-value
Age





     <30 years



1
-
     ≥ 30 years



5.34 (1.70–16.76)
0.004
Sexuality





     Male heterosexual



1
-
     Male homosexual



0.22 (0.05–0.92)
0.039
     Male bisexual



2.38 (0.46–12.41)
0.302
     Female



0.23 (0.05–1.06)
0.059
Perception faithfulness partner





     Faithful



1
-
     Unfaithful/Doubting faithfulness



0.078 (0.01–0.56)
0.011
Distance to CAI





     <25 km



1
-
     ≥ 25 km



16.69 (3.02–92.11)
0.001

aData source: patient files (n = 225). bData source: questionnaires (n = 129). Missing values are deducted by subtracting the total of individuals for each variable to the corresponding 225 (a) or 129 (b) patients. If totals are not indicated for a variable, it has no missing values. *Adjusted for age group and sex. Only those who indicated to feel at risk of HIV infection were included (n = 67). Set as 'mentioned' if: confidentiality test, doubt correctness result, attitude personnel or being seen at site was mentioned or agreed. §Set as 'mentioned' if: fear of loosing partner/family/job/children or fear for rejection was mentioned or agreed. **Set as 'mentioned' if: no time, inconvenient location, no transport money, costs treatment or costs test was mentioned or agreed. ††Adjusted for SES, having an HIV+ partner, total-HIV-knowledge score, testing as part of screening and the other variables in this model. OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.

Bonjour et al. AIDS Research and Therapy 2008 5:6   doi:10.1186/1742-6405-5-6