College student invulnerability beliefs and HIV vaccine acceptability.
OBJECTIVE
To examine behavioral history, beliefs, and vaccine characteristics as predictors of HIV vaccine acceptability.


METHODS
Two hundred forty-five US undergraduates were surveyed regarding their sexual history, risk beliefs, and likelihood of accepting hypothetical HIV vaccines.


RESULTS
Multivariate regression analysis indicated that vaccine acceptability was predicted by lifetime sexual partners, high perceived HIV susceptibility, low danger invulnerability, and high psychological invulnerability. Low perceived risk was associated with basing decisions on vaccine cost.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV vaccine acceptability was predicted by behavioral risk and perceived HIV susceptibility, but also by general feelings of invulnerability to physical and psychological harm.
Ravert
Russell D
RD
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA. ravertr@missouri.edu
Zimet
Gregory D
GD
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
D016915:AIDS Vaccines