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.