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Millions of those infected with HIV have never been diagnosed due to the fear of being tested

Date:
November 17, 2015
Source:
University of Royal Holloway London
Summary:
British academics have carried out the largest global review of psychological barriers behind HIV testing and the factors that may influence people's decision to be tested. 
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Academics from Royal Holloway, University of London, have carried out the largest global review of psychological barriers behind HIV testing and the factors that may influence people's decision to be tested.

The findings, published in the journal AIDS and Behavior, reveal fear about HIV and HIV testing is one of the biggest barriers to testing. More than half of the 35 million people infected with HIV have not been diagnosed.

Dr Michael Evangeli, from the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, who led the study, said: "Our research shows it is imperative that more is done to reduce the fear of HIV and HIV testing to increase the amount of people being tested. A test for HIV, which can now be done in private at home, is necessary to receive HIV treatment and care. The earlier this can be done helps to reduce the onward transmission of HIV. The fact that HIV is treatable needs to be stressed."

One quarter of the over 100,000 HIV positive people in the UK, do not know that they are infected. As well as not having access to the right care and treatment people living with HIV are at risk of spreading the condition further.


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Materials provided by University of Royal Holloway London. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Michael Evangeli, Kirsten Pady, Abigail L. Wroe. Which Psychological Factors are Related to HIV Testing? A Quantitative Systematic Review of Global Studies. AIDS and Behavior, 2015; DOI: 10.1007/s10461-015-1246-0

Cite This Page:

University of Royal Holloway London. "Millions of those infected with HIV have never been diagnosed due to the fear of being tested." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 November 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151117092420.htm>.
University of Royal Holloway London. (2015, November 17). Millions of those infected with HIV have never been diagnosed due to the fear of being tested. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151117092420.htm
University of Royal Holloway London. "Millions of those infected with HIV have never been diagnosed due to the fear of being tested." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151117092420.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

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