Objective

To compare the characteristics of people with risky sexual behavior who participated in campaigns directed to take the first HIV test and voluntarily returned to retake the test afterwards.

Materials and Methods

In Cali Colombia, between 2012 and 2015, 82 people over the age of 18 participated voluntarily in this campaign. A structured questionnaire was applied to assess sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and behaviors related to HIV. Descriptive and comparative analyses of related samples were performed.

Results

The average age of the participants was 26.9±8.6 years. 100% were homosexual men, mostly with low educational attainment and income. Nearly half of the sample reported risky use of alcohol and psychoactive substances. Most of them had little knowledge about HIV transmission and a low rate of condom use with a stable partner. The comparison between the moment when the first HIV test was taken and the repetition did not show significant changes regarding knowledge and behaviors, only a lower report of substance use (p=0.0209) and an increase in the practice of tattoos/piercings (p=0.0455). The reactive result of the second test was 4.9% (95%CI: 0.1%-9.6%).

Conclusion

The results suggest that the voluntary return to retake the HIV test in this group of people who share risk practices for HIV infection does not show changes in knowledge or behavior.