Are peer and social influences important components to include in HIV-STD prevention models? Results of a survey on young people at Lund University, Sweden

Abstract

An anonymous self-administered questionnaire (SAQ) mail survey was conducted on a random sample (n=659) of undergraduate students at Lund University (n=20,000). The objective was to analyse the relationship between KABP (knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and practice) and social-normative variables to consistent condom use and to investigate current student attitudes towards HIV public health promotions and the mass media. Multiple variables indicated a significant relationship between social-normative influences and consistent condom use, including perceived social norms, between-partner communication barriers, others' locus of control and respondents' self-reported Justifications for Inconsistent use. Of the KABP variables, objective HIV knowledge and perceived risk were predictors of inconsistent use. High subjective knowledge and a strong opinion that one should always use a condom with a new partner were predictors of consistent condom use. This latter opinion was significantly related to positive perceived social norms, low communication barriers and satisfaction with one's knowledge of safer sex. The survey also revealed that over one-third of students doubted the trustworthiness of HIV health authorities and the mass media and an equal proportion felt that national campaigns lacked personal relevancy. These results suggest that social and peer influences are important components to include in HIV health promotion and that there is a need to assist, empower and evaluate local community interventions.