Sex education and HIV testing among young men who have sex with men : findings from the 2006-2010 and 2011-2015 National Survey of Family Growth.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sex education and subsequent HIV testing among young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Data were from YMSM aged 15-24 years at interview in the 2006-2010 or 2011-2015 National Survey of Family Growth. Sex education included three contexts (formal institutions, parents, and healthcare providers) and the primary outcome was ever-HIV testing. Multivariate models adjusted for sociodemographics and data were weighted to account for the sampling design. Overall, 42.4% had ever-tested for HIV. YMSM were more likely to have ever-tested for HIV if they talked with a parent/guardian about HIV/AIDS prevention (adjusted prevalence ratio[aPR]=1.48; 95%CI:1.07-2.06), talked with a healthcare provider about HIV/AIDs transmission (aPR=1.64; 95%CI:1.13-2.38), condom use (aPR=1.61; 95%CI:1.13-2.30), and the importance of HIV testing (aPR=1.83; 95%CI:1.22-2.73). Tailored sex education by parent(s) and healthcare providers related to HIV/AIDS appears to significantly increase the likelihood of HIV testing among YMSM.