Provider Trust as a Catalyst for Adolescent HIV and Syphilis Testing.

Authors

Trevor Hall, Katherine G Quinn, Wendi G Ehrman, Steven John, Peter L Havens, Claudia P Vicetti Miguel

Published in

AIDS education and prevention : official publication of the International Society for AIDS Education. Volume 38. Issue 4. Pages 323-334.

Abstract

Adolescents are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections, particularly HIV and syphilis, yet testing rates remain low. We conducted semistructured interviews with 15 adolescents (14-20 years old) at an urban pediatric clinic in Milwaukee to identify facilitators and barriers to HIV and syphilis testing. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results highlight strikingly low levels of syphilis knowledge. Modifiable testing barriers include needle anxiety, fear of results, confidentiality and parental disclosure concerns, and structural challenges including transportation and scheduling conflicts. Despite barriers, nearly all participants described trusted, nonjudgmental providers that supported testing. Critical syphilis knowledge gaps and intersecting barriers persist, yet provider relationships create a feasible opportunity for brief, clinic-embedded HIV/syphilis education.

PMID:
42574701
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 11 Aug 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.