229. To Test or Not to Test: What Psychosocial Risks Factors are Associated with Uptake of STI/HIV Testing Among Youth?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), remain significant public health concerns in the United States. National incidence and prevalence estimates suggest that STIs and HIV disproportionately affect youth aged 15-24 years. Federal recommendations suggest the need for clinicians to assess for STI/HIV-related risk behaviors (i.e., substance use and sexual risk behaviors) and to link youth to STI/HIV testing. These efforts have been identified as key strategies to reduce stark STI and HIV disparities experienced by this vulnerable population. However, our understanding of STI/HIV-related risk behaviors associated with uptake of STI/HIV testing remains limited, especially among racial and ethnic minority youth. Given that adolescence is a significant transitional period characterized by vulnerability and risk, we conducted a pilot study to examine the proximal determinants of adolescent health-risk behaviors. The purpose of the present study was to examine STI/HIV-related risk behavior (i.e., substance use and sexual risk behaviors) correlates of lifetime HIV/STI testing uptake among youth in a clinic setting.