NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 202 ■ June 2015

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

HIV Testing in the Past Year Among the U.S. Household 

Population Aged 15–44: 2011–2013

Casey E. Copen, M.P.H., Ph.D.; Anjani Chandra, Ph.D.; and Isaedmarie Febo-Vazquez, M.S.

Key findings 

Data from the National 

Survey of Family Growth, 

2011–2013

● Overall, 19% of persons 

aged 15–44 in 2011–2013 had 

been tested for HIV in the past 

year, including 22% of females 

and 16% of males.

● Higher percentages of HIV 

testing in the past year were 

seen for persons aged 15–34 

compared with those aged 

35–44, and for non-Hispanic 

black persons compared with 

other race and ethnicity groups.

● Four of 10 males who had 

same-sex sexual contact in the 

past year had been tested for 

HIV in the past year, compared 

with 2 of 10 who had oppositesex sexual contact in the past 

year. 

● Levels of HIV testing in 

the past year were higher for 

persons with behaviors that 

increase HIV risk, including 

having one or more same-sex 

partners or higher numbers of 

opposite-sex sexual partners in 

the past year.

In 2011, more than 1 million Americans aged 13 and over were living 

with HIV infection, and one in seven did not know their infection status 

(1). Routine, voluntary HIV testing is a recognized way to reduce HIV 

transmission (2). Using data from the 2011–2013 National Survey of Family 

Growth (NSFG), this report updates nationally representative estimates and 

trends for HIV testing in the past year (excluding donation of blood or blood 

products, during which individuals are routinely tested) among the U.S. 

household population aged 15–44. Patterns of reported HIV testing in 2011–

2013 are shown by age, race and Hispanic origin, education, and selected 

sexual behaviors that may be related to an elevated risk of HIV infection (3,4). 

Keywords: human immunodeficiency virus • HIV risk • sexual behaviors • 

National Survey of Family Growth

In 2011–2013, HIV testing in the past year among persons 

aged 15–44 had increased to 19% overall.

Figure 1. Percentages of females and males aged 15–44 who were tested for HIV in the past 

year: United States, 2002, 2006–2010, and 2011–2013 Percent

1

Significant linear trend.

2

Percentages for females and males are significantly different.

3

Percentages from 2006–2010 to 2011–2013 are significantly different.

NOTE: Percentages are for HIV testing outside of blood or blood product donation.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2002, 2006–2010, and 2011–2013.

0

10

20

30 2002 2006–2010 2011–2013

Males2,3 Females1,2 Total1

17 17

19 20

21 22

15

13

16
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 202 ■ June 2015

■  2  ■

● In 2011–2013, 19% of persons aged 15–44 had been tested for HIV in the past year, an 

increase from 17% in both 2002 and 2006–2010 (Figure 1).

● Among females in 2011–2013, 22% had been tested for HIV in the past year, an increase 

from 20% in 2002.

● Among males in 2011–2013, 16% had been tested for HIV in the past year, with no 

significant increase since 2002.

● For all time periods shown, females were more likely than males to have had an HIV test in 

the past year.

Among females, the percentage tested for HIV in the past year varied by 

age, race and Hispanic origin, and education.

● HIV testing in the past year was most common among females aged 25–34 (29%), followed 

by females aged 15–24 (22%) and females aged 35–44 (16%) (Figure 2).

● Non-Hispanic black females were more likely to have been tested for HIV in the past year 

(45%) than Hispanic females (21%) or non-Hispanic white females (16%).

● Among females aged 22–44, HIV testing percentages in the past year were higher for those 

with a high school diploma or less (26%) and those with some college (25%) than for those 

with a bachelor’s degree or higher (20%).

Figure 2. Percentage of females aged 15–44 who were tested for HIV in the past year, by selected demographic 

characteristics: United States, 2011–2013

1

All percentages are significantly different from each other across groups. 

2

Analyses of education were limited to females aged 22–44 at the time of interview. GED is General Educational Development high school equivalency diploma. 

3

Percentage significantly different from all other education groups.

NOTE: Percentages are for HIV testing outside of blood or blood product donation. 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2011–2013.

Percent

0 10 20 30 40 50

Bachelor's degree or higher3

Some college, no bachelor's degree

High school diploma/GED or less

Non-Hispanic black

Non-Hispanic white

Hispanic

35–44

25–34

15–24

Age1

Race and Hispanic origin

Education2

Total 22

22

29

16

21

45

26

25

20

16
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 202 ■ June 2015

■  3  ■

Among males, the percentage tested for HIV in the past year varied by age 

and race and Hispanic origin, but not by education.

● Males aged 25–34 had a higher percentage of HIV testing in the past year (19%) than males 

aged 35–44 (13%) but similiar HIV testing levels to those for males aged 15–24 (16%) 

(Figure 3).

● As with HIV testing patterns seen for females, non-Hispanic black males were more likely 

to have been tested for HIV in the past year (33%) compared with Hispanic males (15%) 

and non-Hispanic white males (13%). 

● Unlike for females, the percentage of males aged 22–44 tested for HIV in the past year did 

not vary significantly by education. 

Figure 3. Percentage of males aged 15–44 who were tested for HIV in the past year, by selected demographic 

characteristics: United States, 2011–2013

1

Percentage significantly different from age group 25–34.

2

Percentage significantly different from non-Hispanic white and Hispanic males. 

3

Analyses of education were limited to males aged 22–44 at the time of interview. GED is General Educational Development high school equivalency diploma. 

NOTE: Percentages are for HIV testing outside of blood or blood product donation.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2011–2013.

Percent

Bachelor's degree or higher

Some college, no bachelor's degree

High school diploma/GED or less

Non-Hispanic black2

Non-Hispanic white

Hispanic

35–441

25–34

15–24

Age

Race and Hispanic origin

Education3

Total 16

16

19

13

15

33

19

17

16

13

0 10 20 30 40 50
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 202 ■ June 2015

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Testing for HIV in the past year varied by opposite-sex and same-sex 

sexual contact.

● The percentage of females tested for HIV in the past year (25%–26%) did not differ 

significantly by the type of opposite-sex contact in the past year (Figure 4). 

● Females who reported any same-sex contact in the past year were more likely to have been 

tested for HIV in the past year (35%) compared with those who reported any opposite-sex 

contact in the past year (25%–26%).

● A higher percentage of males who had anal sex with a female partner in the past year had 

been tested for HIV in the past year (23%) compared with males who had oral sex or vaginal 

intercourse (both 18%) with a female partner in the past year. 

● Four of 10 males who had same-sex contact in the past year had been tested for HIV in the 

past year, compared with 2 of 10 males who reported any type of opposite-sex contact in the 

past year. 

● Females who had vaginal intercourse or oral sex with an opposite-sex partner were more 

likely to have been tested for HIV in the past year (both 26%) than were males (both 18%). 

● Percentages of HIV testing in the past year were similar for females and males who had anal 

sex with an opposite-sex partner (25% and 23%, respectively) or any same-sex contact in 

the past year (35% females, 38% males).

Figure 4. Testing for HIV in the past year, by sex and by types of opposite-sex or same-sex contact in the past year: 

United States, 2011–2013

1

Percentages for females and males are significantly different.

2

For males, percentages are significantly different from all other groups. 

3

For both females and males, percentages are significantly different from all other groups.

NOTES: Percentages indicate HIV testing based on whether the respondent had a specific type of sexual activity; thus, categories are not mutually exclusive. 

Percentages are for HIV testing outside of blood or blood product donation.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2011–2013.

Percent

0 10 20 30 40

Same-sex sexual contact3

Opposite-sex anal sex2

Opposite-sex oral sex1

Opposite-sex vaginal

intercourse1

Females

Males

18

26

18

26

23

25

38

35
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 202 ■ June 2015

■  5  ■

Percentages tested for HIV in the past year varied by number and sex of 

sexual partners. 

● Females and males who had one or more same-sex partners in the past year (35% and 37%, 

respectively) or two or more opposite-sex partners in the past year and no same-sex partners 

(39% females, 30% males) had higher levels of HIV testing in the past year compared with 

those who had only one opposite-sex partner in the past year and no same-sex partners (22% 

females, 14% males) or no partners in their lifetime or in the past year (6.8% females, 5.2% 

males) (Figure 5).

● HIV testing percentages were higher for females who had two or more opposite-sex partners 

and no same-sex partners (39%) or only one opposite-sex partner and no same-sex partners 

in the past year (22%) compared with males (30% and 14%, respectively). 

Percent

Figure 5. Percentages of females and males aged 15–44 who were tested for HIV in the past year, by number and sex of 

sexual partners in the past year: United States, 2011–2013

1

For females and males, percentages are significantly different from all other groups. 

2

Percentages for females and males are significantly different.

NOTES: Respondents with no sexual partners in lifetime and those who had no partners in the past year were combined due to small numbers who were tested 

for HIV in the past year. Percentages are for HIV testing outside of blood or blood product donation.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Survey of Family Growth, 2011–2013.

0

10

20

30

40

50 2 or more oppositesex partners in past

year and no samesex partners2

1 opposite-sex

partner in past 

year and no samesex partners1,2

1 or more samesex partners in

past year

No partners in

lifetime or in

past year1

Females Males

7

35

22

39

5

37

14

30
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 202 ■ June 2015

■  6  ■

Summary

Overall, 19% of persons aged 15–44 in 2011–2013 had been tested for HIV in the past year, 

including 22% of females and 16% of males. HIV testing in the past year was most common for 

persons aged 15–34, non-Hispanic black persons, and females aged 22–44 without a bachelor’s 

degree. Compared with males, females were more likely to have been tested for HIV in the past 

year for all time periods shown. This difference may be associated with pregnancy-related HIV 

testing for females who were pregnant in the past year (4). Consistent with previous results, levels 

of HIV testing in the past year were higher for persons with certain behaviors that may increase 

the risk of HIV infection, including having had a same-sex partner and having higher numbers 

of opposite-sex sexual partners in the past year (3,4); however, the temporal sequencing of these 

risk-related behaviors and the HIV test cannot be ascertained from NSFG data. 

Percentages of HIV testing in the past year were similar by sex among those who had same-sex 

sexual contact in the past year. Among persons with same-sex experience, the risks associated 

with HIV acquisition and transmission are higher for males because unprotected anal intercourse 

carries the highest risk of sexual exposure to HIV (5). The 2006 revised recommendations on HIV 

testing in health care settings (6) state that people who are at higher risk for HIV infection should 

get tested for HIV at least annually. Results from this report can be used to track the number of 

people who are routinely tested for HIV, particularly among higher-risk population groups. 

Definitions

Age: Respondent’s age at the time of interview.

Education: Educational attainment at the time of interview, indicating the highest degree or grade 

completed. Results are presented only for persons aged 22–44 because many younger persons 

may still be in school and not have completed their education. 

Race and Hispanic origin: U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines for the 

presentation of race and origin data in federal statistics are used for these classifications (7). 

Given the small sample sizes and the diversity of persons categorized as “non-Hispanic other, 

single and multiple race,” those results are not shown. 

HIV testing in past year: NSFG asks all respondents about their donation of blood or blood 

products because all such donations are routinely tested for HIV. However, more detailed 

questions about HIV testing, including the date, reasons, and provider type for the most recent 

test, are asked only about tests performed outside of blood or blood product donation. As a result, 

this report is based on HIV testing within the past year, exclusive of any donations of blood or 

blood products. Females who reported HIV testing during their most recent completed pregnancy 

within the last 12 months are included as having been tested for HIV in the past year. 

Number and sex of sexual partners in past year: In 2007, questions were added to NSFG that 

asked for numbers of partners by type of sex in the past year. For example, females who ever 

reported vaginal intercourse were asked: “Your number of male partners in the last 12 months is 

displayed below. Thinking of your male partners in the last 12 months, with how many of them 

did you have vaginal intercourse?” Females and males were asked analogous questions about 

numbers of opposite-sex partners by oral and anal sex, whereas males were asked questions 

about numbers of same-sex partners by oral and anal sex. Females were asked whether they had 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 202 ■ June 2015

■  7  ■

ever had oral sex or “any sexual experience of any kind” with another female in their lifetime, 

but were not asked the number of same-sex partners by type of sex in the past year. Number 

and sex of sexual partners by type of sex were collapsed into mutually exclusive categories that 

include: “No partners in lifetime or in past year,” “1 or more same-sex partners in the past year,” 

“1 opposite-sex partner in the past year and no same-sex partners,” and “2 or more opposite-sex 

partners in the past year and no same-sex partners.” The number of persons reporting exclusively 

same-sex partners in the past year was too small to show HIV testing percentages separately. 

Further details on measurement of sexual behaviors and numbers of opposite-sex and same-sex 

partners in NSFG are given in a prior report (8).

Data source and methods

This report is based on data collected from 5,601 females and 4,815 males in the 2011–2013 

NSFG. Although HIV testing and demographic characteristics were asked directly by the 

interviewer, data in this report on types of sexual behavior and numbers of sexual partners were 

collected using the more private method of audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI). 

In ACASI, the respondent listens to the questions through headphones, reads them on the screen, 

or both, and enters his or her responses directly into the computer.

The fieldwork plan, interview content, and other procedures for the 2011–2013 NSFG are similar 

to prior survey years (9). All estimates in this report were weighted to reflect the reproductiveaged female and male household populations of the United States at the midpoint for each time 

period of the survey.

Statistics for this report were produced using SAS version 9.3 (SAS Institute, Cary, N.C.). The 

significance of trends was tested using weighted least-squares regression models to determine 

whether an apparent change over time was statistically significant, taking into account the 

standard error for each data point. Percentages were compared using two-tailed t tests with 

significance at the 0.05 level. The data presented are bivariate associations that may be explained 

by other factors not controlled for in the figures or included in the report.

About the authors

Casey E. Copen, Anjani Chandra, and Isaedmarie Febo-Vazquez are with CDC’s National Center 

for Health Statistics, Division of Vital Statistics, Reproductive Statistics Branch.

References

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default/files/uploads/NHAS.pdf.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 202 ■ June 2015

3. Chandra A, Billioux VG, Copen CE, Sionean C. HIV risk-related 

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attraction, and sexual identity in the United States: Data from the 2006–2008 

National Survey of Family Growth. National health statistics reports; no 36. 

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http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr036.pdf.

9. Lepkowski JM, Mosher WD, Davis KE, et al. The 2006–2010 National 

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Suggested citation

Copen CE, Chandra A, Febo-Vazquez I. 

HIV testing in the past year among the U.S. 

household population aged 15–44: 2011–

2013. NCHS data brief, no 202. Hyattsville, 

MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 

2015.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health 

Statistics

Charles J. Rothwell, M.S., M.B.A., Director

Nathaniel Schenker, Ph.D., Deputy Director

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate 

Director for Science

Division of Vital Statistics

Delton Atkinson, M.P.H., M.P.H., P.M.P., 

Director

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