PEDIATRICS Vol. 96 No. 1 July 1995, pp. 52-58
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Adolescents' Preferences Regarding Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Related Physician Counseling and HIV Testing

Lee A. Rawitscher MD1, Richard Saitz MD, MPH2, and Lawrence S. Friedman MD3

1 New England Deaconess Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center and School of Medicine
2 New England Deaconess Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, Boston City Hospital and Boston University School of Medicine
3 New England Deaconess Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, University of California, San Diego Medical Center and School of Medicine

Objective. To assess adolescents' preferences regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related physician counseling and HIV testing.

Design. Anonymous, self-report survey.

Setting. Metropolitan Boston public schools.

Participants. Students in 9th and 12th grade from 10 schools.

Results. Of the 845 students (99%) who completed the survey, 53% were female, 50% seniors, and 76% white. Although 86% had regular physicians, only 27% reported ever discussing HIV with a physician. The majority wanted a physician to give them information about sexually transmitted diseases (82%), condoms (73%), sex (70%), safe sex (80%), and HIV (85%). Most wanted physicians to ask about personal experiences with sexually transmitted diseases (64%), condoms (59%), safe sex (67%), and HIV (72%). Seniors, students with female physicians, and students who had previously discussed sex with physicians were significantly more likely to want physicians to ask personal questions about HIV-related risk behaviors. Most, however, felt uncomfortable initiating a discussion about safe sex (59%), condoms (67%), sex (69%), and homosexuality (78%). More students preferred to speak with physicians (36%) than with family members (16%) or teachers (2%) about their personal risk of acquiring HIV, although 32% preferred to speak with friends. More preferred to be tested for HIV by someone who did not know them (40%) than by someone who did (32%). When asked about specific testing sites, 25% preferred a place that does only HIV testing, and 22% preferred their regular physicians' offices.

Conclusions. Adolescents want physicians to give them information and to ask personal questions about HIV and HIV-related risk behaviors, and they prefer that the physicians initiate the discussion. Although they have no clear preference for testing sites, many teenagers prefer to be tested by someone who does not know them.

Submitted on July 18, 1994
Accepted on October 14, 1994




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