HIV Testing in Scotland amongst MSM has increased

The number of gay men having an HIV test in Scotland has increased significantly.  The percentage of men who identified themselves as gay who have had an HIV test increased from 27% to 57% from 2000 to 2010.  This is encouraging alongside an increase in gay men who saw testing as “the community norm” which is an important change in attitude.

The barriers many men listed to getting tested were:

• fear of positive result
• opening times
• waiting for an appointment
• fear of rejection of future partners

Better2Know has clinics in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Perth where you can be tested for HIV without giving your real name, date of birth and we will not ask you for your doctor’s name so no one will need to know.  We can also help you if you do test positive with a referral to people who will help you to understand your result and treatment and how to tell other people in your life.