Codes and Frequencies
Description
For sample persons or adults (age 18 and over), AIDTEV indicates whether the respondent ever had an HIV test, not including any tests during blood donations.
In 1988 and 1989, the question asked whether the respondent had a blood test for the virus, implying but not stating that any testing during blood donations should be excluded. From 1990 forward, the question text explicitly states, "Except for tests you may have had as part of blood donations, have you ever been tested for HIV?/Have you ever been tested for HIV?"
The question wording varies somewhat across time, to reflect changes in testing methods.
Prior to 1998, the question asks respondents if they have had their bloodtested. In 1998-1999, the question asks if respondents have been tested for the AIDS virus infection, while from 2000 forward, the question asks if they have been tested for HIV. The 2000 Field Representative's Manual notes, "Many of the questions in this section have the previous wording referring to the 'AIDS test' changed to read as having a 'test for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.'" This shift was probably due to the introduction of multiple methods for HIV testing (e.g., saliva testing).
Universe
- 1988: Sample persons age 18+ in Q2, 3 and 4 who have ever heard of a blood test for HIV/AIDS.
- 1989-1990: Sample persons age 18+ who have ever heard of a blood test for HIV/AIDS.
- 1991: Sample persons age 18+.
- 1992: Half of sample persons age 18+.
- 1993: Half of sample persons age 18+ in Q3 and Q4 (excluded from Y2K supplement).
- 1994-1995: Half of sample persons age 18+ (excluded from Y2K supplement).
- 1997-2018: Sample adults age 18+.
Availability
- 1988-1995, 1997-2018
Weights
- 1997-2018 : SAMPWEIGHT
- 1988-1995 : SUPP1WT