title: Using a web-based survey to assess correlates of intention towards HIV testing among never-been-tested but sexually experienced college students.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to identify influential psychosocial factors predicting testing intention among college students who have never been tested but are sexually experienced. A web-based survey was conducted during the spring semester in 2003 in a major Southeastern university (N = 440). Results showed only 7.7% of the students expressed intention despite having been sexually experienced. Multiple logistic regression models showed that the combined five psychosocial factors examined (perceived pros, cons, risk, self-efficacy and availability/accessibility related to testing) significantly predicted testing intention (p < 0.001). Two factors, perceived pros (OR = 1.641) and perceived risk (OR = 1.357), showed significant coefficients. The reduced model with only these two predictors showed increased correct classification of students in terms of their testing intention (from 91.8 to 93.4%). Results suggested that educational and prevention programmes aimed at encouraging testing should address these important testing-related psychosocial constructs to maximize programme impacts. Future studies need to further investigate the role of other factors in affecting testing intention or related behaviours among other sub-groups of students.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion Behavior, University of Georgia, Atlanta 30602, USA. shou@coe.uga.edu
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wisenbaker
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D020407:Internet; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires