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Heterosexual behavioral maintenance and change following HIV counseling and testing.

Amaro H, Morrill AC, Dai J, Cabral H, Raj A

Institute on Urban Health Research, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntingdon Avenue, Stearns Center, Suite 503, Boston University, MA 02115, USA. h.armaro@neu.edu

This study investigated heterosexual HIV risk behaviors, changes in stage of change for safer sex and factors associated with such changes, among a diverse sample of 560 heterosexually active individuals presenting at publicly funded HIV C&T sites. Questionnaires were administrated before HIV C&T, and three months afterwards. Positive serostatus was the most significant predictor of safer behavior after C&T. Many seronegative participants stopped sex with non-main partners. Behaviors with main partners were particularly resistant to change. Predictors of change varied by stage at pre-test. C&T services should tailor approaches and referrals based on stage of change and other client characteristics.

Published 22 February 2005 in J Health Psychol, 10(2): 287-300.
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