In the US, HIV disproportionately affects Latinos who often present late in the disease. Baltimore has seen a recent rapid growth in its Latino population paralleled by an increasing impact of HIV/AIDS among Latinos. From 2009 to 2010, we performed a cross-sectional survey of Latinos accessing the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) Latino Outreach services to assess self-report of previous HIV testing, with particular attention to migration history and risk behaviors. Of 247 Latinos (46% male) accessing BCHD outreach services, 96% were foreignborn. Self-perceived HIV risk was not associated with actual risk behaviors or HIV testing. In multivariate models, previous HIV testing was correlated with knowledge of HIV transmission modes and knowing that a person with HIV can appear healthy. Consistent with CDC recommendations, HIV screening among Latino immigrants should not be limited to individuals with self-perceived risk for HIV. Promoting key pieces of HIV knowledge may improve HIV testing behaviors. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012.

Hispanic Latino HIV knowledge HIV testing HIV/AIDS prevention Condom

HIV Infections sexual behavior Human immunodeficiency virus infection psychological aspect human sex difference statistics ethnology Hispanic Americans Cross-Sectional Studies United States Young Adult cross-sectional study Humans Hispanic male Acculturation Socioeconomic Factors female socioeconomics AIDS Serodiagnosis cultural factor serodiagnosis Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article adult migration Sex Factors patient attitude Patient Acceptance of Health Care Baltimore Transients and Migrants Community-Institutional Relations attitude to health public relations