Why people don't test

Research cited above has identified structural and professional factors that act as barriers to the expansion of HIV testing, even when programmes and guidelines exist to encourage it. These factors include lack of awareness, lack of time and resources, and assumptions amongst professionals about who is likely to have HIV.

Nonetheless – and although in studies of expanded testing a higher proportion of patients have expressed willingness to be tested than the proportion who are offered tests – resistance to testing amongst at-risk populations remains a significant barrier to reducing the proportion of people who remain undiagnosed and who test late.

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.