Behavioral risk of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the university student community.
OBJECTIVE
Theoretically, university students could be at especially high risk in a human immunodeficiency virus-type epidemic. Peak incidence of human immunodeficiency virus infection occurs in this age group.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine and characterize the behavior, attitudes, experiences, and knowledge of university students regarding human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.


METHODS
A written survey was distributed to 405 students at a small, academically select university. Data were analyzed by the "Statistics With Finesse" program on a microcomputer.


RESULTS
About 55% of the students considered themselves "sexually active," with 8.1% of these having had a sexually transmitted disease. Notwithstanding their concern and knowledge about human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a significant percentage reported participating in highly risky behavior. Therefore, they were at a behavioral risk of acquiring a human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
All that is needed for the epidemic to rapidly spread into the tertiary-education student community is an increase in the exposure of that community to human immunodeficiency virus. Knowledge and concern about human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome did not appear to be sufficient to prevent risky behavior in this population. The results indicate a need to reconsider some of our human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome education and prevention efforts.
Latman
N S
NS
School of Allied Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo 79106, USA.
Latman
A I
AI
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities