Objectives: This report presents nationally representative estimates and trends for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing among the U.S. household population aged 15-44. Data are presented for lifetime experience with HIV testing and HIV testing in the past year, including testing done as part of prenatal care.
Methods: Data for this report come from the 2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), consisting of 22,682 interviews with men and women aged 15-44, conducted from June 2006 through June 2010. The overall response rate for the 2006-2010 NSFG was 77%: 78% for women and 75% for men.
Results: Among U.S. women aged 15-44, the percentage ever tested for HIV outside of blood donation increased significantly from 35% in 1995 to 55% in 2002, and to 59% in 2006-2010. Among men aged 15-44, the percentage ever tested outside blood donation fell from 47% in 2002 to 42% in 2006-2010. Within gender groups in 2006-2010, the proportions ever tested for HIV outside of blood donation were similar for Hispanic and non-Hispanic white persons: roughly 6 out of 10 among women and 4 out of 10 among men. However, a higher percentage of non-Hispanic black women (75%) and non-Hispanic black men (61%) had ever been tested for HIV outside of blood donation. Based on 2006-2010 data, 21% of women were tested for HIV within the 12 months prior to interview, compared with 13% of men. While NSFG data cannot ascertain the temporal sequencing of risk-related behaviors and HIV testing, the data indicate that testing within the past year occurs more often among individuals reporting potential HIV risk-related behaviors.