Careful Conversations and Careful Sex: HIV Posttesting Experiences Among African American Men in Rural Florida

Purpose In the United States, black/African American (black) men bear the greatest burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), accounting for 42% of new HIV infections in 2012 despite being 6% of the population. In Florida, heterosexual HIV transmission has increased among black men. Few studies have examined HIV testing experiences for black heterosexual men (BHM) in the rural South. This study describes the post‐HIV‐testing trial experiences of BHM in rural Florida. Methods We conducted 12 focus groups (4‐7 participants per group) in 3 rural Florida counties with BHM who participated in a larger randomized HIV testing trial. Interviews were professionally transcribed and data were analyzed using NVivo 10. The qualitative analysis was informed by the strengths perspective (ie, emphasis on abilities rather than risks) and used a thematic analytical approach. Results Sixty‐seven men participated (median age 41.5 years); 39 (58%) earned a monthly income of less than $500, 38 (57%) attained education through high school or higher, 37 (55%) were unmarried, and 40 (60%) reported practicing monogamy; all who tested for HIV were negative for HIV. We identified 3 main themes based on self‐reported actions: (1) risk reduction (eg, more consistent condom use, fewer sex partners), (2) sexual health communications with sex partners (eg, negotiating HIV testing with sex partners, getting to know partners better), and (3) health communications with peers and family (eg, disclosing test results, encouraging others to get tested). Conclusions Among BHM, being in this HIV testing study facilitated increased protective behaviors and communications for HIV prevention. Interventions for BHM in rural areas warrant incorporating these strategies to encourage routine HIV testing.